Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stem Cells in Drug Discovery, Tissue Engineering, and Regenerative Medicine: Emerging Opportunities and Challenges

Stem cells, irrespective of their origin, have emerged as valuable reagents or tools in human health in the past 2 decades. Initially, a research tool to study fundamental aspects of developmental biology is now the central focus of generating transgenic animals, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine to address degenerative diseases of multiple organ systems. This is because stem cells are pluripotent or multipotent cells that can recapitulate developmental paths to repair damaged tissues. However, it is becoming clear that stem cell therapy alone may not be adequate to reverse tissue and organ damage in degenerative diseases. Existing small-molecule drugs and biologicals may be needed as “molecular adjuvants” or enhancers of stem cells administered in therapy or adult stem cells in the diseased tissues. Hence, a combination of stem cell-based, high-throughput screening and 3D tissue engineering approaches is necessary to advance the next wave of tools in preclinical drug discovery. In this review, the authors have attempted to provide a basic account of various stem cells types, as well as their biology and signaling, in the context of research in regenerative medicine. An attempt is made to link stem cells as reagents, pharmacology, and tissue engineering as converging fields of research for the next decade. (Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2009:755-768)
A Superjunction U-MOSFET With SIPOS Pillar Breaking Superjunction Silicon Limit by TCAD Simulation Study

A novel superjunction (SJ) vertical UMOSFET with semi-insulating POly-crystalline silicon pillar (SIPOS SJ-UMOS) is proposed and its mechanism is investigated by TCAD simulations. In the off-state, the reshape effect of SIPOS pillars enhances the vertical electric field strength and weakens the lateral field component, which increases the breakdown voltage (BV). In addition, the highly doped <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-pillars are allowed for the proposed device due to the enhanced depletion by the SIPOS pillars, which leads to a low specific ON resistance (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${R}_{{\text {ON},\text {sp}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>). In the on-state, an accumulation layer is formed in drift region leading to an additional reduction in the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${R}_{{\text {ON},\text {sp}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. Simulation results show that the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text {R}_{{\text {ON},\textit {sp}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> decreases 59%, and BV increases by 16.7%, simultaneously, breaking the SJ silicon limit, compared with those of a conventional SJ-UMOS with the same drift length. Moreover, the charge-imbalance endurance of SIPOS SJ-UMOS is also improved.
Activation of κ opioid receptors increases intrinsic excitability of dentate gyrus granule cells

Non‐technical summary The hippocampus is an area of the brain that is important for learning and memory and a locus for hyperexcitable activity, such as epilepsy. The dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus controls information flow into the rest of the hippocampus, and thus provides protection from excess activity. Under pathological conditions, such as epilepsy, this protective feature is circumvented and uninhibited activity flows throughout the hippocampus. Activation of kappa (κ) opioid receptors (KORs) prevents both the behavioural and electroencephalographic measures of seizures in several models of epilepsy, and other complex behaviours such as stress‐induced deficits in learning. Understanding the cellular effect of KOR activation is critical to our understanding of DG function. In this study we show that, contrary to our hypothesis, activation of the KORs increases excitability of the DG cells. These results suggest that regulation of activity in the DG by activation of KORs is more complex than previously thought.
Differences of opinion: a survey of knowledge and bias among clinicians regarding the role of chemotherapy in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To quantify clinician knowledge and bias regarding the role of chemotherapy for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A 16-question, multiple-choice questionnaire was sent to all Australian general internists, pulmonary and palliative care physicians, medical and radiation oncologists, and thoracic surgeons to assess beliefs concerning the role of chemotherapy in metastatic NSCLC. An overall assessment of "pessimism" and "optimism" regarding the role of chemotherapy in metastatic NSCLC was made, and knowledge of specific outcome measures was evaluated. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS A total of 1,325 questionnaires were mailed, with 679 replies (51%) received and 544 replies (41%) assessable. Overall, 60% of respondents were deemed to have good knowledge. There was a wide variation in knowledge between specialist groups (p < 0.0001), with more medical oncologists (76%) but fewer thoracic surgeons (35%) and general internists (50%) with good knowledge. Fewer medical oncologists (6%) were classified as pessimistic compared with palliative care physicians (31%), radiation oncologists (28%), or pulmonary physicians (22%). Sixty-eight percent of respondents agreed that most patients receiving chemotherapy have symptomatic improvement. More medical oncologists (77%) and pulmonary physicians (73%), but fewer general internists (55%) and palliative care physicians (57%) agreed with this. Medical oncologists were far more likely to agree that chemotherapy was of benefit in patients aged > or = 70 years compared with any of the other specialist groups. CONCLUSIONS There were significant differences regarding the perceived role of chemotherapy in metastatic disease between the various specialty groups involved in the treatment of NSCLC. Many clinicians had a poor understanding of contemporary data regarding the use of chemotherapy in metastatic NSCLC. This study raises substantial issues regarding the beliefs of clinicians treating NSCLC and emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary assessment.
Young People Living in the YMCA

This article presents interim findings and reflections from a case study of multiply excluded homeless people in Stoke-on-Trent. The article focuses on the experiences reported by a group of twelve such people living in the YMCA hostel. From the interviews, a large number of thematic structures were identified, of which only a few are outlined here, due to restrictions on the article length. The article concludes that the YMCA has had an important impact on their lives, mostly for the better, but the nature of this impact is complex and far from being fully understood.
Traction-Assisted Dermatogenesis by Serial Intermittent Skin Tape Application

Background: The use of both tissue expanders and skin-stretching devices is commonplace in reconstructive surgery. The authors describe a noninvasive technique of tissue expansion. Methods: This article describes a prospective study in which 26 consecutive patients consisting of eight male patients and 18 female patients were recruited for expanding the skin by the authors’ devised technique of intermittent serial traction Micropore taping of skin at weekly intervals. Once the skin was expanded, the scar revision was performed in one or two stages by excision and flap advancement. The age range of the patients was 8 to 48 years. The anatomical regions that underwent scar revision were scalp (n = 6), face (n = 9), upper limb (n = 6), and lower limb (n = 9). Results: The size of the scars to be resurfaced ranged from 35 × 50 mm on the temple to 280 × 130 mm on the scalp. The average follow-up after surgical correction was 11 months. The number of taping sessions ranged from two to 15, with an average of 6.9. Fourteen patients had successfully completed the surgical management, and four patients are in the midst of treatment. Four patients defaulted on treatment, and in four patients, the expansion failed to progress. Illustrative examples of some of the cases are described. Conclusion: Traction-assisted dermatogenesis is an additional method of tissue expansion that is easy and cost effective for reconstruction.
Neuropsychological functioning following bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation in Parkinson ’ s disease

The cognitive effects of subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation in Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been examined. However, there are no reported studies that evaluate, by incorporating a disease control group, whether neuropsychological performance in surgical patients changes beyond the variability of the assessment measures. To examine this issue, 17 PD patients were tested before and after bilateral STN stimulator implantation, both on and off stimulation. Eleven matched PD controls were administered the same repeatable neuropsychological test battery twice. Relative to changes seen in the controls, the surgery for electrode placement mildly adversely affected attention and language functions. STN stimulation, per se, had little effect on cognition. The STN DBS procedure as a whole resulted in a mild decline in delayed verbal recall and language functions. There were no surgery, stimulation, or procedure effects on depression scale scores. In contrast to these group findings, one DBS patient demonstrated significant cognitive decline following surgery. © 2003 National Academy of Neuropsychology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
SUMO conjugation to spliceosomal proteins is required for efficient pre-mRNA splicing

Abstract Pre-mRNA splicing is catalyzed by the spliceosome, a multi-megadalton ribonucleoprotein machine. Previous work from our laboratory revealed the splicing factor SRSF1 as a regulator of the SUMO pathway, leading us to explore a connection between this pathway and the splicing machinery. We show here that addition of a recombinant SUMO-protease decreases the efficiency of pre-mRNA splicing in vitro. By mass spectrometry analysis of anti-SUMO immunoprecipitated proteins obtained from purified splicing complexes formed along the splicing reaction, we identified spliceosome-associated SUMO substrates. After corroborating SUMOylation of Prp3 in cultured cells, we defined Lys 289 and Lys 559 as bona fide SUMO attachment sites within this spliceosomal protein. We further demonstrated that a Prp3 SUMOylation-deficient mutant while still capable of interacting with U4/U6 snRNP components, is unable to co-precipitate U2 and U5 snRNA and the spliceosomal proteins U2-SF3a120 and U5-Snu114. This SUMOylation-deficient mutant fails to restore the splicing of different pre-mRNAs to the levels achieved by the wild type protein, when transfected into Prp3-depleted cultured cells. This mutant also shows a diminished recruitment to active spliceosomes, compared to the wild type protein. These findings indicate that SUMO conjugation plays a role during the splicing process and suggest the involvement of Prp3 SUMOylation in U4/U6•U5 tri-snRNP formation and/or recruitment.
Viral dynamics in primary HIV-1 infection. Karolinska Institutet Primary HIV Infection Study Group.

OBJECTIVES To study the natural course of viremia during primary HIV infection (PHI). METHOD Eight patients were followed from a median of 5 days from the onset of PHI illness. Plasma HIV-1 RNA levels were measured frequently and the results were fitted to mathematical models. HIV-1 RNA levels were also monitored in nine patients given two reverse transcriptase inhibitors and a protease inhibitor after a median of 7 days from the onset of PHI illness. RESULTS HIV-1 RNA appeared in the blood during the week preceding onset of PHI illness and increased rapidly during the first viremic phase, reaching a peak at a mean of 7 days after onset of illness. This was followed by a phase of rapidly decreasing levels of HIV-1 RNA to an average of 21 days after onset. Viral density continued to decline thereafter but at a 5- to 50-fold lower rate; a steady-state level was reached at a median of 2 months after onset of PHI. Peak viral density levels correlated significantly with levels measured between days 50 and 600. Initiation of antiretroviral treatment during PHI resulted in rapidly declining levels to below 50 copies/mL. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the kinetic phases of viremia during PHI and indicates two new contributions to the natural history of HIV-1 infection: PHI peak levels correlate with steady-state levels and HIV-1 RNA declines biphasically; an initial rapid decay is usually followed by a slow decay, which is similar to the initial changes seen with antiviral treatment.
Differentially expressed genes associated with tryptophan‐dependent pigment synthesis in Malassezia furfur– a comparison with the recently published genome of Malassezia globosa

Malassezia (M.) furfur, a commensal organism found on the human skin, produces a wide range of pigments and fluorochromes when cultured with tryptophan as a sole nitrogen source. Some compounds of this pigment metabolism may provide an explanation for clinical characteristics of pityriasis versicolor (PV), a frequent skin disease in humans characterised by long‐lasting pigmentary changes. Malassezia globosa is currently regarded as the causative agent of PV, but tryptophan‐dependent pigment production has not yet been demonstrated in this species. In a previous study, we identified M. furfur genes that were differentially expressed 3 and 5 h, respectively, after induction of tryptophan‐dependent pigment production. The recent publication of the genome of M. globosa prompted us to check the M. furfur sequences for homologues in M. globosa. The 3‐h pool contained 79 sequences and the 5‐h pool contained 91 sequences. A translated vs. translated BLAST search resulted in 62 sequences (78%) of the 3‐h pool and 61 sequences (67%) of the 5‐h pool showing similarity to a sequence from M. globosa. It appears that M. globosa possesses homologues to most of the genes that are differentially expressed during pigment production in M. furfur.
Medical students' endeavour to make use of their mental capabilities.

OBJECTIVE To identify and compare awareness of intellectual wellness in male and female medical students of Karachi. METHODS The cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey comprised randomly selected 800 medical students of both gender. It was conducted from January to December 2010 in 8 medical colleges of Karachi. Responses--never, sometimes, mostly and always (numbered 0-4)--were analysed in terms of frequency, proportion and percentages by Predictive Analysis Software version 18. Chi square test was applied for comparison of intellectual wellness in both genders. Results were considered significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS Of the 800 questionnaires distributed, 736 (92%) were received fully completed; 526 (71.5% of them from females. Intellectual wellness was significantly higher in females due to an increasing aptitude towards book reading (p < 0.0001), selection of movies (p < 0.03) and analytical thinking (p < 0.002). Male students derived help from mentors (p < 0.03) CONCLUSION: Females were found to be better in terms of intellectual wellness compared to the males. However, males used mentorship support to acquire intellectual wellness.
A method for teacher inquiry in cross-curricular projects: Lessons from a case study

Many changes in teaching practices (such as introduction of e-assessment) are initiated by school management, or by a lead teacher, but have direct impact on the learning designs of others. However, models of teachers as innovators, conducting evidence-based inquiry into their students' learning, view the teacher as initiator of change in their own practice (normally as individual). This paper addresses the question of whether such models can also be applied to change introduced by top-down processes. In this paper, we examine teacher inquiry in such a context. We discuss a JOUR study in which we worked with the Head of Science ( HoS) of a secondary school. The HoS designed a cross-curricular science, technology, engineering and mathematics ( STEM) project with 57 STEM teachers and introduced Google Forms as a tool for formative assessment. We supported the HoS to design and conduct an inquiry that involved all teachers. We examine the context and process of inquiry and how it was applied. Our findings provide insight into teachers' use of tools and representations when communicating about learning design, and the implications of this for the development of learning analytics tools. They also inform the development of a method for coordinating teacher inquiry in cross-curricular projects and, more generally, in the context of top-down introduction of change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Prior residence , territory quality and life-history strategies in juvenile Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar

Three groups of juvenile salmon were introduced sequentially into an artificial stream to investigate the effects of prior residence on behaviour and territory choice. Almost half of the first group obtained and defended distinct territories, the other half being constrained to an area approximately the size of one large territory. All of the fish in the subsequent groups, bar one, were also constrained to the same site. Since the fish were of similar size, prior residence alone seemed to influence which individuals obtained territories. However, within the first group, the fish that obtained territories were larger and more aggressive. The territorial fish did not appear to choose the most profitable territories, although they had the greatest opportunity to do so. Since juvenile salmon emerge from their gravel nests fairly synchronously, a time constraint on site sampling is hypothesised: there may be a risk in taking time to sample sites, since these same sites may become occupied with conspecifics. However, fish with territories fed at faster rates than non-territorial fish, possibly because of reduced competition for prey items. Consequently, fish from the first group (containing most of the territorial fish) grew faster than the other two groups. Moreover, most of the territory holders, but only one of the non-territorial fish, reached the threshold size that increases their probability of smolting the following year. This suggests that ability to obtain a defensible territory, primarily through prior residence, influences the age at which juvenile salmon can migrate to sea.
A systematic review of the effectiveness of whole‐of‐community interventions by socioeconomic position

Whole‐of‐community (WOC) interventions have led to modest reductions in population weight gain. Whether they exhibit differential effectiveness by socioeconomic position (SEP) remains unknown. We aimed to summarize evidence of differential effectiveness of WOC interventions by SEP. Electronic databases and grey literature were searched to identify studies that evaluated the effectiveness of a WOC intervention on behavioural change measures, energy balance behaviours and/or anthropometric outcomes according to any measure of SEP. Interventions were assessed for the following characteristics: structural changes to the environment, number of settings the intervention acted in, presence of community engagement and whether equity was considered in its design. Ten studies were included. Nine reported a greater or equal effect among low SEP groups compared with high SEP groups. These studies commonly featured interventions that incorporated structural changes to the environment, acted across more than three settings and/or employed community engagement. Conclusions did not change when excluding low‐quality studies (n = 4). WOC interventions represent an effective and equitable approach for the reduction of population weight. Structural components, a larger number of settings and community engagement were common in equitable WOC interventions and should be considered in the design of future WOC interventions.
A Web Mining Methodology for Personalized Recommendations in E-Commerce

A current trend in the e-commerce systems is to incorporate mechanisms for personalized product recommendation in order to obtain new customers and retain existing ones. In this paper, a recomender methodology based on web data mining is proposed. The work deals with the problem of introducing new products and new customers which do not have a profile. We use the available information from other users to discover patterns in data through association rule algorithms. We suggest the use of intelligent agents for its implementation. The core agent generates and refines association rules by means of a characteristic algorithm which contributes to avoid the well-known problems of the collaborative filtering techniques and leads to the development of more efficient recommendations.
A case study on partner heterogeneity in open innovation: Evidence from Haier Group

The open innovation paradigm brought forward by Henry Chesbrough offers a new way of thinking and managing about innovation. Literature on open innovation reveals little that to what extent different types of external partners in open innovation are combined to foster innovation. From the resource-based view, we unpack partner heterogeneity into three dimensions from organizational, industrial and national heterogeneity, corresponding to use of diverse knowledge from partners. This paper offers a comprehensive framework to reveal the relationship between partner heterogeneity and innovation performance, and it also gives a good direction for enterprises improving their innovation capability through utilizing external knowledge effectively according to their internal resources.
Passionate Journey: The Spiritual Autobiography of Satomi Myōdō

a really comprehensive analysis of the interaction between Soseki's writings and the world of Meiji Japan. I was very surprised to find not a single study oiKokoro, which is not only one of Soseki's important works but also the most frequently assigned to students. Overall, however, The World of Natsume Soseki is eminently useful, both as a reference for some of the lesser-known aspects of Soseki's art and as a stimulating reappraisal of some of his more famous works. Even though it promises more than it delivers, the book does a good job in showing the variety and fascination of Soseki's works.
The “Virtual” Panel: A Computerized Model for LGBT Speaker Panels

Recent societal trends indicate more tolerance for homosexuality, but prejudice remains on college campuses. Speaker panels are commonly used in classrooms as a way to educate students about sexual diversity and decrease negative attitudes toward sexual diversity. The advent of computer-delivered instruction presents a unique opportunity to broaden the impact of traditional speaker panels. The current investigation examined the influence of an interactive “virtual” gay and lesbian speaker panel on cognitive, affective, and behavioral homonegativity. Findings suggest the computer-administered panel lowers homonegativity, particularly for affective experiential homonegativity. The implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.