Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sperm-Associated Antigen 9, a Novel Cancer Testis Antigen, Is a Potential Target for Immunotherapy in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Purpose: Cancer testis antigens are a group of tumor antigens with gene expression restricted to male germ cells in the testis and in various cancerous tissues. Recently, we reported a novel testis-specific sperm-associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) gene, a new member of the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase–interacting protein family, having functional role in sperm-egg fusion and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. National Center for Biotechnology Information Blast searches revealed SPAG9 nucleotide sequence similarities with expressed sequence tags of various cancerous tissues. In an effort to examine the clinical utility of SPAG9, we investigated the SPAG9 mRNA and protein expression in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Humoral immune response to SPAG9 was also evaluated in EOC patients. Experimental Design: We determined the expression profile of SPAG9 transcript by reverse transcription-PCR and RNA in situ hybridization and SPAG9 protein expression by immunohistochemistry in EOC specimens and human ovarian cancer cell lines. Using ELISA and Western blotting, we analyzed specific antibodies for SPAG9 in sera from patients with EOC. Results:SPAG9 mRNA and protein expression was detected in 90% of EOC tissues and in all three human ovarian cancer cell lines. Specific SPAG9 antibodies were detected in 67% of EOC patients and not in sera from healthy individuals. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that SPAG9 is highly expressed in EOC and immunogenic in patients. Humoral immune response against SPAG9 in early stages of EOC suggests its important role in early diagnostics. These results collectively suggest that SPAG9, a novel member of cancer testis antigen family, could be a potential target for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods in EOC.
MEASURING POST-SECONDARY STEM MAJORS' ENGAGEMENT IN SUSTAINABILITY: THE CREATION, ASSESSMENT, AND VALIDATION OF AN INSTRUMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY CURRICULA EVALUATION

OF DISSERTATION MEASURING POST-SECONDARY STEM MAJORS' ENGAGEMENT IN SUSTAINABILITY: THE CREATION, ASSESSMENT, AND VALIDATION OF AN INSTRUMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY CURRICULA EVALUATION Ongoing changes in values, pedagogy, and curriculum concerning sustainability education necessitate that strong curricular elements are identified in sustainability education. However, quantitative research in sustainability education is largely undeveloped or relies on outdated instruments. In part, this is because no widespread quantitative instrument for measuring related educational outcomes has been developed for the field, though their development is pivotal for future efforts in sustainability education related to STEM majors. This research study details the creation, evaluation, and validation of an instrument – the STEM Sustainability Engagement Instrument (STEMSEI) – designed to measure sustainability engagement in post-secondary STEM majors. The study was conducted in three phases, using qualitative methods in phase 1, a concurrent mixed methods design in phase 2, and a sequential mixed methods design in phase 3. The STEMSEI was able to successfully predict statistically significant differences in the sample (n= 1017) that were predicted by prior research in environmental education. The STEMSEI also revealed statistically significant differences between STEM majors’ sustainability engagement with a large effect size (.203 ≤ η ≤ .211). As hypothesized, statistically significant differences were found on the environmental scales across gender and present religion. With respect to gender, self-perceived measures of emotional engagement with environmental sustainability was higher with females while males had higher measures in cognitive engagement with respect to knowing information related to environmental sustainability. With respect to present religion, self-perceived measures of general engagement and emotional engagement in environmental sustainability were higher for non-Christians as compared to Christians. On the economic scales, statistically significant differences were found across gender. Specifically, measures of males’ selfperceived cognitive engagement in knowing information related to economic sustainability were greater than those of females. Future research should establish the generalizability of these results and further test the validity of the STEMSEI.
Research ethics in dissertations: ethical issues and complexity of reasoning

Background Conducting ethically sound research is a fundamental principle of scientific inquiry. Recent research has indicated that ethical concerns are insufficiently dealt with in dissertations. Purpose To examine which research ethical topics were addressed and how these were presented in terms of complexity of reasoning in Swedish nurses' dissertations. Methods Analyses of ethical content and complexity of ethical reasoning were performed on 64 Swedish nurses' PhD dissertations dated 2007. Results A total of seven ethical topics were identified: ethical approval (94% of the dissertations), information and informed consent (86%), confidentiality (67%), ethical aspects of methods (61%), use of ethical principles and regulations (39%), rationale for the study (20%) and fair participant selection (14%). Four of those of topics were most frequently addressed: the majority of dissertations (72%) included 3–5 issues. While many ethical concerns, by their nature, involve systematic concepts or metasystematic principles, ethical reasoning scored predominantly at lesser levels of complexity: abstract (6% of the dissertations), formal (84%) and systematic (10%). Conclusions Research ethics are inadequately covered in most dissertations by nurses in Sweden. Important ethical concerns are missing, and the complexity of reasoning on ethical principles, motives and implications is insufficient. This is partly due to traditions and norms that discount ethical concerns but is probably also a reflection of the ability of PhD students and supervisors to handle complexity in general. It is suggested that the importance of ethical considerations should be emphasised in graduate and post-graduate studies and that individuals with capacity to deal with systematic and metasystematic concepts are recruited to senior research positions.
Human U251 Glioma Cell Proliferation Is Suppressed by HET0016 [N-Hydroxy-N′-(4-butyl-2-methylphenyl)formamidine], a Selective Inhibitor of CYP4A

We have previously reported that HET0016 [N-hydroxy-N′-(4-butyl-2 methylphenyl)formamidine], a selective inhibitor of CYP4A and thus 20-HETE (20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) synthesis, inhibits endothelial cell proliferation and decreases angiogenesis induced by human glioma cell U251. A stable 20-HETE agonist, WIT003 [20-hydroxyeicosa-5(Z),14(Z)-dienoic acid (1 μM)], increased U251 cell proliferation from 3.9- to 4.8-folds from T0 (time of the treatment). We examined the effects of HET0016 on the growth of U251. HET0016 inhibited U251 basal cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. 10 μM HET0016 suppressed 56% of U251 proliferation and significantly increased the proportions of the cells arrested in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Exposure to HET0016 (as early as 4 h) reduced protein tyrosine and p42/p44 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) phosphorylation. Furthermore, HET0016 significantly inhibited the U251 proliferation and phosphorylation of both the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and p42/p44 MAPK induced by EGF. CYP4A mRNA and proteins were both present in U251. This suggests that HET0016 inhibited U251 proliferation by inhibiting 20-HETE synthesis. However, U251 did not synthesize 20-HETE in the presence of arachidonic acid. This implies that HET0016 suppresses U251 proliferation by mechanisms that are not yet clear but may involve activities other than inhibition of 20-HETE synthesis. We concluded that HET0016 may be the prototype of novel compounds that suppress human glioma cell proliferation.
New robust stability criteria of systems with time-varying delays

In this paper, we deals with the problem of the robust stability of a linear system with a time-varying delay and polytopic-type uncertainties via homogeneous polynomial forms. An type of transformation related to the homogeneous polynomial function for stability analysis of linear system subject to time-varying parametric uncertainty, affecting rationally the state space matrix, is introduced. In order to obtain less conservative conditions for the system, we investigated a new method of HPLFs to deal with a time-delay system without uncertainties. In this method, the robustness properties can be investigated by using HPLFs, which is a non-conservatives class of Lyapunov functions. Then we can extended this method to the system with polytopic-type uncertainties is easily. Numerical results illustrate the efficiency of the proposed condition, which provide less conservative estimates of stability domains than similar tests in the literature.
Effects of Topiramate on Aggressive, Self-Injurious, and Disruptive/Destructive Behaviors in the Intellectually Disabled: An Open-Label Retrospective Study

This study reviews the treatment response to the antiepileptic drug topiramate (Topamax—mean dose 202 mg/d, range 150–350 mg/d) of a group of 22 institutionalized intellectually disabled adults (8 males, 14 females, mean age 46.5 years, age range 25–70 years). These individuals were predominantly classified as having severe or profound intellectual disability and as having a mood disorder. The individuals studied were treated for aggression, self-injurious behaviors, destructive/disruptive behaviors or a combination of these, and/or other challenging and maladaptive behaviors. All subjects were receiving concurrent psychotropic and/or anticonvulsant medications. Effectiveness was determined by retrospective review of summaries of quarterly multidisciplinary Neuropsychiatric Behavioral Reviews. Assignment of global severity scores and evaluation of longitudinal behavioral graphs of target symptoms occurred. Overall, statistically significant decreases in global severity scores and in the cumulative aggression and worst behavior rates occurred in the subjects, especially when the 3 months before and the 3 to 6 months after starting topiramate were compared. The overall subject group showed no significant weight changes. One subject developed delirium, 1 developed hypoglycemia, 1 developed sedation, and 2 developed constipation. The results suggest that topiramate may have a role in the treatment of challenging/maladaptive behaviors in intellectually disabled individuals.
Industrial Management & Data Systems Knowledge sharing , job attitudes and organisational citizenship behaviour

Purpose – There are very few studies on the impact of job attitude on knowledge sharing. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of job involvement, job satisfaction, organisational commitment, and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) on employees’ knowledge sharing behaviour. Design/methodology/approach – This research is based on a survey of 116 Information Systems personnel in Malaysia. Structural equation modelling is used to test the hypothesis. Findings – The results show that job involvement, job satisfaction and OCB are independent and positively related to employees’ knowledge sharing behaviour. However, organisational commitment has a negative relationship with knowledge sharing behaviour. It is found that OCB is not a significant mediator between job involvement, job satisfaction organisational commitment and knowledge sharing behaviour. Research limitations/implications – It is widely reported that knowledge workers may not be willing to share with others since they can always argue that it is not their job to share. Therefore, knowledge sharing can be regarded as an extra job. OCB is an extra-role behaviour which is especially relevant to research on knowledge sharing. Theories and research methods in OCB may be used in future research on knowledge sharing. Practical implications – Given the importance of knowledge sharing in today’s competitive business world, this study provides a broader understanding of different dimensions of job attitudes in relation to employees’ knowledge sharing behaviours. Our findings suggest that organisational administrators and managers should look into ways of improving the levels of job satisfaction, job involvement, and OCB in order to facilitate knowledge sharing behaviour. Originality/value – This study makes two distinct additions to the organisational behaviour and knowledge sharing literature. First, job attitudes appear to be significantly related to knowledge sharing behaviour, addressing a research gap in the literature of knowledge sharing and employee attitudes. Second, this study reveals that OCB directly affects knowledge sharing but it does not mediate employees’ job attitudes to promote knowledge sharing behaviours.
The revised Generalized Expectancy for Success Scale: a validity and reliability study.

The Generalized Expectancy for Success Scale (GESS; Fibel & Hale, 1978) was revised and assessed for reliability and validity. The revised version was administered to 199 college students along with other conceptually related measures, including the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Life Orientation Test, and Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale. One subsample of students also completed the Eysenck Personality Inventory, while another subsample performed a criterion-related task that involved risk taking. Item analysis yielded 25 items with correlations of . 45 or higher with the total score. Results indicated high internal consistency and test-retest reliability.
An Association between Mitochondria and the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Cells of the Pseudobranch Gland of a Teleost

An elaborate and apparently unique specialization of the endoplasmic reticulum having the form of tubules and a precise orientation with respect to the mitochondria has been described for the specific cell of the pseudobranch gland. The tubules also are concentrated near the vascular border of the cell where they show continuity with the plasma membrane and open directly against the basement membrane. On the other side of the basement membrane, the endothelial cells of the sinusoid show openings or discontinuities characteristically associated with secretory cells. The pseudobranch gland is presumed to have carbonic anhydrase as one of its primary products, if not its only one, and the elaborate ultrastructure is thought to be associated with the special problems of secreting this enzyme.
Protection of spermatogenesis against gamma ray‐induced damage by granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor in mice

The radioprotective effects of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (GCSF) were further investigated with respect to the testicular system. Recombinant human GCSF (100 μg kg−1 body weight/day) was administrated to male C3H/HeN mice by subcutaneous injection for three consecutive days before pelvic irradiation (5 Gy) and histopathological parameters were assessed at 12 h and 21 days post‐irradiation (pi). The GCSF protected the germ cells from radiation induced‐ apoptosis (P < 0.01 vs. irradiated group at 12 h pi). GCSF remarkably attenuated radiation‐induced reduction in testis weight, seminiferous tubular diameter, seminiferous epithelial depth and sperm head count in the testes (P < 0.05 versus irradiated group at 21 days pi). Repopulation index and stem cell survival index of the seminiferous tubules were increased in the GCSF‐treated group when compared with the radiation group (P < 0.01). The frequency of abnormal sperm in the GCSF group was lower than that in the irradiated group at 21 days pi (P < 0.01). The decrease in the sperm count and in sperm liability in the epididymis caused by irradiation was counteracted by GCSF. The present study suggests that GCSF protects from radiation‐induced testicular dysfunction via an anti‐apoptotic effect and recovery of spermatogenesis.
Optimal time for early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

IMPORTANCE There is growing evidence in support of performing early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute cholecystitis. However, the definition of early LC varies from 0 through 10 days depending on the research protocol. The optimum time to perform early LC is still unclear. OBJECTIVES To determine whether outcomes after early LC for acute cholecystitis vary depending on time from presentation to surgery and to determine the optimum time to perform LC for acute cholecystitis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) for 2005 through 2009. The population-based sample included 95,523 adults (18 years and older) who underwent LC within 10 days of presentation for acute cholecystitis. INTERVENTIONS Patients were categorized and analyzed in 2 ways based on length of time from presentation to surgery. First, patients were categorized into 3 groups: 0 through 1 day, 2 through 5 days, and 6 through 10 days. Second, we compared outcomes for each incremental preoperative day (days 0-5). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Outcomes of interest were mortality, length of stay, complications, and cost. Propensity score matching and generalized linear modeling were used. The hypothesis being tested was formulated after data collection was complete. RESULTS A total of 95,523 patients were selected. After matching the 3 groups based on propensity scores, patients who underwent surgery during days 2 through 5 and days 6 through 10 had increasingly worse outcomes when compared with those undergoing surgery on days 0 through 1. The odds of mortality were 1.26 (95% CI, 1.00-1.58) and 1.93 (95% CI, 1.38-2.68), and the odds of postoperative infections were 0.88 (95% CI, 0.69-1.12) and 1.53 (95% CI, 1.05-2.23) for days 2 through 5 and days 6 through 10, respectively. Adjusted mean hospital cost increased from $8974 (days 0-1) to $17,745 (days 6-10). Analysis by each incremental day revealed the optimal time of surgery to be within the first 48 hours of presentation. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed within 2 days of presentation of acute cholecystitis yielded the best outcomes and lowest costs. Although causality could not be established, delaying LC was associated with more complications, higher mortality, and higher costs.
Quantification of tissue plasma volume in the rat by contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging enhanced with a macromolecular contrast medium (MMCM), albumin‐Gd‐DTPA, was used to estimate the plasma volume in vivo in the myocardium, lung, liver, and skeletal muscle of 10 normal rats. The plasma volumes of the same tissues in a parallel group of six rats were estimated in vitro by a conventional radioisotopic technique (111In‐transferrin). Plasma volumes of myocardium, lung, liver, and skeletal muscle estimated by the MR technique (μl plas. ia cc‐1 of tissue) were 101,109,163, and 11.0, respectively, while plasma volumes measured by the In‐transferrin radioisotope technique (mg plasma g‐1 of tissue) were 78.6, 215,143, and 11‐2, respectively. Assuming a ratio of densities of aerated lung to blood of 0.45 and of other tissues to blood of 1.0, correlation between the methods was excellent (R2 = 0.99) indicating that MR imaging enhanced with MMCM permits reliable in vivo estimation of tissue plasma volume in the rat.
To engineer the metropolis: sewers, sanitation, and city planning in late-nineteenth-century America.

A Baltimore engineer who sought public construction and ownership of a city-wide sewer system drew a parallel in 1905 between the efficiency of sewers and the quality of a civilization. Referrring to Europe, he stated that "completely sewered, with a low death rate," Paris is "the center of all that is best in art, literature, science and architecture and is both clean and beautiful. In the evolution of this ideal attainment," he continued, "its sewers took at least a leading part, for we have only to look at conditions existing prior to their construction to see that such a realization would have been impossible before their existence. " Although his sentiments were overblown, his statement conveyed some truth. A growing number of urbanites in early-twentieth-century America recognized an intimate relationship between technology and the social, economic, and governmental structure of cities. To harness new technologies to social needs was the aspiration of many so-called "progressives. " As landscape architect John Nolen put it in 1909: "Intelligent city planning is one of the means toward a better utilization of our resources, toward an application of the methods of private business to public affairs, toward efficiency, toward a higher individual and higher collective life. "1 The central watchwords of many political reformers during the latenineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, as Nolen suggested, were conservation, corporate-like government, efficiency, and social engineering. Each goal required the application of technology to the solution of human problems. Each demanded innovative methods of
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: incidence of atypical regions of involvement and imaging findings.

OBJECTIVE Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is classically characterized as symmetric parietooccipital edema but may occur in other distributions with varying imaging appearances. This study determines the incidence of atypical and typical regions of involvement and unusual imaging manifestations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-six patients were eventually included as having confirmed PRES from 111 initially suspected cases, per imaging and clinical follow-up. Two neuroradiologists retrospectively reviewed each MR image. Standard sequences were unenhanced FLAIR and T1- and T2-weighted images in all patients, with diffusion-weighted imaging (n = 75) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (n = 69) in most. The regions involved were recorded on the basis of FLAIR findings, and the presence of atypical imaging findings (contrast enhancement, restricted diffusion, hemorrhage) was correlated with the severity (extent) of hyperintensity or mass effect on FLAIR. RESULTS The incidence of regions of involvement was parietooccipital, 98.7%; posterior frontal, 78.9%; temporal, 68.4%; thalamus, 30.3%; cerebellum, 34.2%; brainstem, 18.4%; and basal ganglia, 11.8%. The incidence of less common manifestations was enhancement, 37.7%; restricted diffusion, 17.3%; hemorrhage, 17.1%; and a newly described unilateral variant, 2.6%. Poor correlation was found between edema severity and enhancement (r = 0.072), restricted diffusion (r = 0.271), hemorrhage (r = 0.267), blood pressure (systolic, r = 0.13; diastolic, r = 0.02). Potentially new PRES causes included contrast-related anaphylaxis and alcohol withdrawal. CONCLUSION This large series of PRES cases shows that atypical distributions and imaging manifestations of PRES have a higher incidence than commonly perceived, and atypical manifestations do not correlate well with the edema severity.