Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collaborative interaction behaviors in an information technology problem-solving context: cognitive movements of the helper and the helped

This paper explores patterns of cognitive movements in the context of information technology problem solving. The movements, based on Dervin's Sense-Making theory, are characterized as cognitive and affective perceptions of the individual as s/he experiences a situation through time– space. This study focuses on the interaction between the helper and the helped. A time-line interview is conducted to collect descriptions of respondents' perceptions of the meaningful behavioral sequence as a series of steps. The sample consists of 22 customer service representatives and 36 information technology service users. The findings offer a way of understanding the embedded nature of the perceptions of helper and helped in a problem-solving context. They support a model of collaborative problem-solving behaviors and suggest implications for the design and management of help systems or services.
Differentiation between cellular apoptosis and necrosis by the combined use of in situ tailing and nick translation techniques.

BACKGROUND A number of enzymatic techniques have recently been developed to detect DNA fragmentation in apoptosis at the cellular level. However, since DNA fragmentation also occurs in cellular necrosis, we studied to which extent the use of DNA polymerase (nick translation) or terminal transferase (tailing) allows the differentiation between internucleosomal DNA degradation, typical for apoptosis, and the more random DNA destruction in necrosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We compared these techniques on in vitro and in vivo models for apoptotic or necrotic cell death. Apoptosis of thymocytes in vitro was induced by gamma-irradiation, necrosis by the cytotoxic action of antibody and complement. Cell death in vivo was examined on paraffin-embedded tissue material from animals with autoimmune encephalomyelitis that served as a model for apoptosis, or in kainic acid-induced nerve cell degeneration as a model for necrosis. RESULTS DNA fragmentation was visualized by the incorporation of labeled nucleotides into the nuclei of affected cells utilizing tailing or nick translation techniques. In the early stages of cell degeneration in vitro, cells undergoing apoptosis were preferentially labeled by tailing, whereas necrotic cells were identified by nick translation. Similarly, early stages of necrosis in vivo were preferentially detected by nick translation, whereas tailing was slightly more sensitive for the detection of apoptosis. Results obtained with these enzymatic techniques were in accord with the assessment of cell death by morphologic criteria. Both techniques could be applied in tissue samples even after prolonged fixation in paraformaldehyde if the sections were pretreated with proteinase K digestion. CONCLUSIONS Our studies show that both in situ nick translation and in situ tailing are useful in detecting DNA fragmentation in cell suspensions and tissue sections. These techniques may help to define the molecular mechanisms leading to cell death in experimental conditions and eventually in human tissue.
Remarks on Holmberg's generalization

It is argued that the dependence of Scandinavian Object Shift on verb movement, called Holmberg’s Generalization, is a special case of a more general condition preventing Object Shift across any phologically visible category within VP: a verb, a preposition, a verb particle or another argument. Overt movement of the blocking category will always pave the way for Object Shift. The interplay between Object Shift and Verb Topicalization (verb movement to specCP) shows (a) that it makes no difference to Object Shift how the verb moves, as long as it moves, (b) that Holmberg’s Generalization is a matter of derivation, not representation, and (c) that Object Shift does not observe the strict cycle. It is proposed that Object Shift applies after insertion of pholological features in a component of stylistic rules, containing rules dependent on focus structure.
WaldenstroÈm's macroglobulinaemia: a prospective study comparing daily with intermittent oral chlorambucil

This prospective study compared continuous and intermittent chlorambucil therapy of untreated WaldenstroÈm's macroglobulinaemia. The diagnosis was established by the presence of an IgM monoclonal (M-) protein in the serum, an in®ltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the bone marrow, anaemia or other laboratory abnormalities, physical ®ndings or constitutional symptoms. Patients were randomized to receive chlorambucil 0 ́1 mg/kg/d or chlorambucil 0 ́3 mg/kg/d orally for 7 d, repeated every 6 weeks. Criteria for response included 50% or more reduction of serum M-protein, increase in haemoglobin level of 2 g/dl without transfusion, $ 50% decrease of urine M-protein, or a reduction of 2 cm in the size of the liver, spleen or lymph nodes. Forty-six patients were randomized to continuous chlorambucil (n24) or to intermittent chlorambucil (n22). Nineteen (79%) (95% CI58±93) of the 24 patients given continuous therapy had an objective improvement by either reduction of serum M-protein or increase in haemoglobin. Fifteen (68%) (95% CI45±86) of the 22 patients given chlorambucil intermittently had an objective response. The size of the liver decreased by $ 2 cm in 55% of patients, and the size of the spleen decreased $ 2 cm in 67%. Lymphadenopathy decreased in 71%. Acute leukaemia or refractory anaemia developed in four patients. The median duration of survival was 5 ́4 years, and there was no difference between the regimens. Chlorambucil is effective for the treatment of WaldenstroÈm's macroglobulinaemia. Patients must be treated for at least 6 months before therapy is abandoned because response is slow. Chlorambucil is an effective agent and should be compared with purine analogues or rituxan (Rituximab) in a prospective study.
Xenopus Kazrin interacts with ARVCF-catenin, spectrin and p190B RhoGAP, and modulates RhoA activity and epithelial integrity

In common with other p120-catenin subfamily members, Xenopus ARVCF (xARVCF) binds cadherin cytoplasmic domains to enhance cadherin metabolic stability or, when dissociated, modulates Rho-family GTPases. We report here that xARVCF binds and is stabilized by Xenopus KazrinA (xKazrinA), a widely expressed conserved protein that bears little homology to established protein families, and which is known to influence keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation and cytoskeletal activity. Although we found that xKazrinA binds directly to xARVCF, we did not resolve xKazrinA within a larger ternary complex with cadherin, nor did it co-precipitate with core desmosomal components. Instead, screening revealed that xKazrinA binds spectrin, suggesting a potential means by which xKazrinA localizes to cell–cell borders. This was supported by the resolution of a ternary biochemical complex of xARVCF–xKazrinA–xβ2-spectrin and, in vivo, by the finding that ectodermal shedding followed depletion of xKazrin in Xenopus embryos, a phenotype partially rescued with exogenous xARVCF. Cell shedding appeared to be the consequence of RhoA activation, and thereby altered actin organization and cadherin function. Indeed, we also revealed that xKazrinA binds p190B RhoGAP, which was likewise capable of rescuing Kazrin depletion. Finally, xKazrinA was found to associate with δ-catenins and p0071-catenins but not with p120-catenin, suggesting that Kazrin interacts selectively with additional members of the p120-catenin subfamily. Taken together, our study supports the essential role of Kazrin in development, and reveals the biochemical and functional association of KazrinA with ARVCF-catenin, spectrin and p190B RhoGAP.
The Transcription Factor Bright Associates with Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase, the Defective Protein in Immunodeficiency Disease1

Binding of the transcription factor Bright to Ig heavy chain loci after B cell activation is associated with increased heavy chain transcription. We now report that Bright coprecipitates with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk), the defective enzyme in X-linked immunodeficiency disease (xid). Furthermore, we observed Btk in the nucleus of activated murine B cells, and mobility shift assays suggest that it is a component of the Bright DNA-binding complex. While Bright protein was synthesized in activated spleen cells from xid mice, it did not bind DNA or associate stably with Btk. These data suggest that deficiencies in Bright DNA-binding activity may contribute to the defects in Ig production seen in xid mice.
Candida lusitaniae: frequency of recovery, colonization, infection, and amphotericin B resistance

Candida lusitaniae recovered from 58 specimens from 13 patients represented less than 1% of the yeasts isolated over a 15-month period. The majority of isolates were recovered from respiratory tract, stool, and urine specimens. Of the 13 patients, 1 had a documented infection associated with septicema. Urine isolates from that patient developed resistance to amphotericin B during therapy.
Regulation of the peptidergic nerves (substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide) in the colon of women patients with slow transit constipation: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS In histological studies, there is evidence to suggest a diminution of the peptidergic nerves such as vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) in the enteric nervous system in the colon of patients with slow transit constipation (STC). To clarify the pathophysiological significance of peptidergic nerves in the colon of patients with STC, we investigated the enteric nerve responses on pathological and normal bowel segments derived from patients with STC and patients who underwent colon resection for colon cancers, respectively. METHODOLOGY Twenty-eight preparations were taken from the pathological sigmoid colon of 16 women with STC (aged 40-58 years, average 48.8 years). Forty-eight preparations were taken from the normal sigmoid colon of 20 women with colonic cancer (aged 40-55 years, average 49.6 years). A mechanographic technique was used to evaluate in vitro muscle responses to VIP and SP of adrenergic and cholinergic nerves before and after treatment with various autonomic nerve blockers. RESULTS Responses mediated by non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory nerves were found in the normal colon, but were more frequently in the colon with STC than in the normal colon (p < 0.01). Responses mediated by excitatory nerves such as cholinergic nerves were more dominant in the normal colon than in the STC colon. At 1 x 10(-8), 1 x 10(-7), 1 x 10(-6) g/mL, VIP and SP in both the normal and STC colonic muscle strips produced a concentration-dependent relaxation to VIP and contraction to SP. In addition, the relaxation reaction to VIP in the colon with STC was also weaker than in the normal colon (p < 0.01). The contraction reaction to SP in the colon with STC was weaker than in the normal colon (p < 0.01). VIP acts through neural mechanisms, whereas SP may act both through nerves and also directly on both the normal and STC muscle strips. CONCLUSIONS Responses mediated by NANC inhibitory nerves were significantly increased in the colon with STC compared with the normal colon. A decrease of responses to peptidergic nerves such as SP and VIP may also play an important role in the impaired motility observed in the colon of patients with STC. These results indicate that the disturbances in the neural component of the enteric nervous system in the colon of women patients with STC may initiate or contribute to the functional changes.
A comparative, randomized, controlled study on clinical efficacy and dental staining reduction of a mouthwash containing Chlorhexidine 0.20% and Anti Discoloration System (ADS).

INTRODUCTION A good control of bacterial plaque is an essential factor for the success of periodontal therapy, therefore it is the main objective that the clinician together with the patient must get to have a healthy periodontium. The plaque control with mouthwashes is the most important home therapy as it helps to reduce the formation of plaque between the mechanical removal with a toothbrush. AIM Authors analyzed the clinical data from a trial carried out with 3 different mouthwashes containing 0.2% Chlorhexidine (CHX). In addition, the ADS (Anti Discoloration System - Curaden Healthcare) was tested in comparison with the other mouthwashes without this system. MATERIALS AND METHODS We tested antiplaque activity showed by 3 of the most commercialized mouthwashes, moreover, we tested the ability in reducing the dental staining related to the oral assumption of Chlorhexidine. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated the clinical efficacy of the 3 mouthwashes with CHX. Particularly performing was the anti discoloration system (Curaden Healthcare), with a clinical detection of dental stainings significantly less than the others tested. This study demonstrated the clinical efficacy of ADS system in the reduction of tooth staining, without a loss of antiplaque activity with respect to the competing mouthwashes containing CHX.
Extensively necrotic retinoblastoma is associated with high-risk prognostic factors.

CONTEXT Retinoblastoma is the most common malignant intraocular tumor in children. It has been shown that adjuvant therapy following enucleation in patients with high-risk histopathologic features significantly decreases the mortality. We describe the association of extensive necrosis of tumor and intraocular structures with 2 of the major risk factors: optic nerve invasion and choroidal invasion. This may alert the pathologist who makes the observation of extensive necrosis to carefully search for histologic features associated with adverse outcome. OBJECTIVE To determine whether extensively necrotic retinoblastoma is associated with high-risk histologic prognostic factors for metastatic disease and patient survival. DESIGN Retrospective case series. Forty-three eyes of 43 patients with retinoblastoma who underwent enucleation between 1990 and 2001 were evaluated. Medical records, histopathology specimens, pathology reports, and clinical photographs were reviewed. Tumors were designated as exhibiting extensive necrosis if more than 95% of tumor cells and intraocular tissues were necrotic. The main outcome measure was the association of extensive tumor necrosis with 3 high-risk histopathologic features: extraocular extension, optic nerve invasion, or choroidal invasion. Metastatic disease, patient survival, and associations with pathologic findings were also analyzed. RESULTS Optic nerve head invasion (P < .001), post-lamina-cribrosal invasion (P < .001), and choroidal invasion by tumor (P = .004) were observed more frequently in eyes with extensive necrosis compared with eyes without extensive necrosis. Two of the 11 patients with extensively necrotic intraocular retinoblastoma died from metastatic disease (P = .06). None of the 32 patients without extensive necrosis developed metastatic disease or died. CONCLUSIONS Extensive ocular tissue and tumor necrosis is associated with histologic high-risk prognostic factors for tumor metastasis and mortality.
Effect of L-arginine treatment on motility, hyperactivity, acrosome reaction of ejaculated ram spermatozoa

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of in vitro treatment of ejaculated ram spermatozoa with different concentrations of L-arginine at various incubation times on motility, hyperactivity (HA) and acrosome reaction. Freshly ejaculated spermatozoa collected from three rams were pooled and subjected to the swim up technique in modified sperm Tyrode's albumin lactate pyruvate (S-TALP) medium supplemented with different concentrations of Larginine (0.01, 0.02, 0.03,0.04 and 0.05 mM) at 30, 60,90 and 120 min of incubation. Following sperm incubation, the following parameters were examined: motility, hyperactivity (HA) and acrosome reaction (AR). The results showed that irrespective of the concentration, incubation of ram spermatozoa with Larginine for 30min did not significantly affect the motility. However, increase the time of incubation for more than 30 min significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the motility of the spermatozoa as compared to the control. The lowest motility was recorded when spermatozoa were incubated with 0.05 mM L-arginine for 120 min. Treatment of ram spermatozoa with 0.05 mM Larginine resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in HA% immediately after dilution compared to the control. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in total AR% was concomitant to the increase in the concentration of L-arginine with highest AR achieved at 0.04 mM and 90 min incubation. However, increasing the time of incubation to 120 min significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the percentage of spermatozoa with total AR compared to the other incubation times at 0.02, 0.04, and 0.05 mM L-arginine. In conclusion, under our experimental conditions treatment of ejaculated ram spermatozoa with 0.04 mM of L-arginine for 90 min was considered the best concentration of L-arginine to be used for in vitro induction of acrosome reaction.
Perceived Changes in Well-Being: The Role of Chronological Age, Target Age, and Type of Measure

The goal of this study is to investigate whether perceived changes in one's well-being from the present to the future are related to chronological age, target age, and type of measure (psychological well-being versus life satisfaction). Young adults (N = 114) rated their current well-being and their future well-being at one of three target ages (30, 50, or 70 years old) and middle-aged adults (N = 51) rated their current well-being and future well-being at the target age of 70 years old. Future self-enhancement effects were observed on both measures of well-being for young adults and on life satisfaction for middle-aged adults. Future self-enhancement effects were greater for life satisfaction than for psychological well-being. One-way MANOVAs showed that there were chronological age differences but not target age differences in the magnitude of future self-enhancement effects for well-being. Future self-enhancement effects were larger for young adults than for middle-aged adults.
Ankle Block vs Single-Shot Popliteal Fossa Block as Primary Anesthesia for Forefoot Operative Procedures: Prospective, Randomized Comparison

Background: Postoperative pain is often difficult to control with oral medications, requiring large doses of opioid analgesia. Regional anesthesia may be used for primary anesthesia, reducing the need for general anesthetic and postoperative pain medication requirements in the immediate postoperative period. The purpose of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of an ankle block (AB) to a single-shot popliteal fossa block (PFB) for patients undergoing orthopedic forefoot procedures. Methods: All patients having elective outpatient orthopedic forefoot procedures were invited to participate in the study. Patients were prospectively randomized to receive either an ultrasound-guided AB or PFB by a board-certified anesthesiologist prior to their procedure. Intraoperative conversion to general anesthesia and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) opioid requirements were recorded. Postoperative pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) at regular time intervals until 8 am on postoperative day (POD) 2. Patients rated the effectiveness of the block on a 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being very effective. A total of 167 patients participated in the study with 88 patients (53%) receiving an AB and 79 (47%) receiving a single-shot PFB. Results: There was no significant difference in the rate of conversion to general anesthesia between the 2 groups (13.6% [12/88] AB vs 12.7% [10/79] PFB). PACU morphine requirements and doses were significantly reduced in the PFB group (P = .004) when compared to the AB group. The VAS was also significantly lower for the PFB patients at 10 pm on POD 0 (4.6 vs 1.6, P < .001), 8 am on POD 1 (5.9 vs 4.2, P = .003), and 12 pm on POD 1 (5.4 vs 4.1, P = .01). Overall complication rates were similar between the groups (AB 9% vs PFB 10.1%, P = .51) and there were no significant differences in residual sensory paresthesias (AB 2.3% [2/88] vs PFB 5.1% [4/79], P = .29), motor loss (0% vs 0%), or block site pain and/or erythema (AB 6.9% [6/88] vs PFB 5.1% [4/79], P = .44). The analgesic effect of the PFB lasted significantly longer when compared to the ankle block (AB 14.5 hours vs PFB 20.9 hours, P < .001). There was no significant difference in patient-perceived effectiveness of the block between the 2 groups, with both blocks being highly effective (AB 4.79/5 vs PFB 4.82/5, P = .68). Conclusion: Regional anesthesia was a safe and reliable adjunct to perioperative pain management and highly effective in patients undergoing elective orthopedic forefoot procedures. However, patients who received a PFB had significantly better pain management and decreased opioid requirements in the immediate perioperative period than patients who received an ankle block. Level of Evidence: Level I, prospective randomized study.
Nuclear factor-kappaB immunoreactivity is present in human coronary plaque and enhanced in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

BACKGROUND Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a transcription factor which plays a coordinating role in inflammation and cellular proliferation and is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Its role in unstable coronary plaque in humans is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS Coronary atherectomy plaque was obtained via directional coronary atherectomy from 32 patients [16 with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and 16 with stable angina pectoris (SAP)]. The predominant pathology in UAP consisted of richly cellular areas with atheromatous gruel or loose intimal proliferative tissue within a myxoid matrix (P<0.05 compared with SAP). By contrast, SAP plaques showed more dense fibrosis (P<0.01 compared with UAP). Sections were then stained with a monoclonal antibody to the activated p65 subunit of NF-kappaB and this staining was present in 31/32 specimens, localized to smooth muscle cells, macrophages and foam cells. Staining was then graded semiquantitatively by three independent observers. Immunostaining grades for activated NF-kappaB were significantly higher in UAP compared with SAP (2.60+/-0.1 vs. 1.98+/-0.18; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS NF-kappaB immunoreactivity is present in coronary atherosclerotic plaque and is increased among patients with unstable coronary syndromes. These data support a role for NF-kappaB in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes in humans.
Renal cell carcinoma with metastasis to the parotid gland: Case reports and review of the literature

Two cases of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the parotid gland are presented. The parotid mass was the initial manifestation of the first patient's renal cell malignancy and the pathologic evaluation was the first clue to the diagnosis. The second case demonstrates discovery of metastasis to the parotid gland 8 years after resection of a hypemephroma. A review of the literature on this subject is presented and the pathologic characteristics as well as recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of this entity are reviewed.