Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Causal Relationships in Creative Problem Solving: Comparing Facilitation Interventions for Ideation

Organizations must be creative continuously to survive and thrive in today's highly competitive, rapidly changing environment. A century of creativity research has produced several descriptive models creativity, and hundreds of prescriptions for interventions that demonstrably improve creativity. This paper presents the cognitive network model (CNM) as a causal model of the cognitive mechanisms that give rise to creative solutions in the human mind. The model may explain why creativity prescriptions work as they do. The model may also provide a basis for deriving new techniques to further enhance creativity. The paper tests the model in an experiment where 61 four-person groups used either free-brainstorming or one of three variations on directed-brainstorming to generate solutions for one of two unstructured tasks. In both tasks, people using directed-brainstorming produced more solutions with high creativity ratings, produced solutions with higher average creativity ratings, and produced higher concentrations of creative solutions than did people using free-brainstorming. Significant differences in creativity were also found among the three variations on directed-brainstorming. The findings were consistent with the CNM.
Prevalence and predictors of burden among family caregivers of the elderly in a Western City in Turkey: a community-based, cross-sectional study

The objective of this study is to assess caregiver burden among family members and to identify risk factors of burden. This was community based study u sing face-to-face interviews by a trained study team via a semi-structured questionnaire, the 12-It em General Health Questionnaire, the Zarit Burden Interview, the Center for Epidemiological Studies D epression Scale. Results: The daughters, sons and daughter-in-laws were the most common caretakers. O ne in four caregivers experiences caregiver burden and that the age of the elderly adult receiv ing care and family size affected the caregiver burd en. Daughter-in-laws and grandchildren experienced care giver burden at twice the rate of sons or daughters (p=0.014). Almost one in four caregivers had higher median CES-D scores. Early recognition of risks factors of caregiver burden and of health problems in caregivers can provide early support an d prevention of caregiver burden. Caregivers should b e educated about the risk factors for caregiver burden, support and services in their community.
Activation of the inflammasome by amorphous silica and TiO2 nanoparticles in murine dendritic cells

Abstract Nanomaterials are increasingly used in various food applications. In particular, nanoparticulate amorphous SiO2 is already contained, e.g., in spices. Since intestinal dendritic cells (DC) could be critical targets for ingested particles, we compared the in vitro effects of amorphous silica nanoparticles with fine crystalline silica, and micron-sized with nano-sized TiO2 particles on DC. TiO2- and SiO2-nanoparticles, as well as crystalline silica led to an upregulation of MHC-II, CD80, and CD86 on DC. Furthermore, these particles activated the inflammasome, leading to significant IL-1β-secretion in wild-type (WT) but not Caspase-1- or NLRP3-deficient mice. Silica nanoparticles and crystalline silica induced apoptosis, while TiO2 nanoparticles led to enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since amorphous silica and TiO2 nanoparticles had strong effects on the activation-status of DC, we suggest that nanoparticles, used as food additives, should be intensively studied in vitro and in vivo, to ensure their safety for the consumer.
Evaluation of the quality and appropriateness of medical prescriptions in the hospital discharge report

Objectives: The aim of this research has been to evaluate: (a) the frequency of the use of non-standard terms in medical prescriptions; (b) the proportion of “new drugs of irrelevant therapeutic value” or medication of low therapeutic utility (LTU); and (c) the use of Generic Pharmaceutical Specialties (GPS). Materials and methods: Descriptive transversal observational study with analytical components over the hospital discharge reports issued in a year. The main variables of the results were: a) the proportion of prescriptions with abbreviations, symbols or expressions of non-recommended doses in the discharge report, b) the frequency of prescriptions of pharmaceutical specialties without the relevant contribution (NRPS), c) the proportion of LTU medication in the hospital discharge reports , d) the frequency of GPS or, if they are not available, the Common International Denomination (CID) of the active ingredient in the discharge reports , and e) the mean cost per prescribed medication in the hospital discharge report . Results: A total of 854 discharge reports have been studied containing 4,055 medical prescriptions. A considerable number (38.8%) of the medical prescriptions in the discharge report have used abbreviations and non-recommended symbols for dose expression. The prescription of new drugs of irrelevant therapeutic value reached 2.8% while the prescription of pharmaceutical products of LTU was 2.1%. Only 13.8% of the prescriptions were carried out as an active ingredient. The mean cost per prescription was 17.3 euros ( SD = 31.34). Conclusions: Appropriateness in the prescription of medication at hospital discharge is considered to be not satisfactory and our results are consistent with other previously published reports. However, there are frequent errors in the prescription of medication and given the demonstrated relationship between errors and possible adverse effects, it is necessary to introduce programs to raise awareness about the importance of the introduction of safe practices in the medical prescriptions of the hospital discharge report.
Comparison of computer integrated patient controlled epidural analgesia vs. conventional patient controlled epidural analgesia for pain relief in labour

Computer integrated‐patient controlled epidural analgesia (CI‐PCEA) is a novel drug delivery system. It automatically titrates the background infusion rate based on the individual parturient's need. In this randomised trial, we compared the local anaesthetic consumption by parturients using CI‐PCEA with demand only patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) for labour analgesia. We recruited 40 parturients after approval by the ethics committee. Group PCEA (n = 20) received demand only PCEA. Group CI‐PCEA (n = 20) received a similar PCEA regimen but the computer integration titrated the background infusion to 5, 10 or 15 ml.h−1 if the patient required one, two or three demand boluses, respectively, in the previous hour. The background infusion decreased by 5 ml.h−1 if there was no demand bolus in the previous hour. The sample size was calculated to show equivalence in local anaesthetic used. The time weighted consumption of local anaesthetic was similar in both groups (mean difference 0.7 mg.h−1, 95% confidence interval [CI: −2.5, 1.1]; p = 0.425). The CI‐PCEA group had higher maternal satisfaction scores: mean (SD) 93 (7) vs. 86 (11), p = 0.042. CI‐PCEA does not increase the use of local anaesthetic when compared with demand only PCEA but does increase patient satisfaction.
Serum leptin and its relationship with metabolic variables in Arabs with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Most studies on serum leptin in type 2 diabetes mellitus have focused on white populations. We studied serum leptin concentrations and parameters related to glycemic control and the association between leptin levels and anthropometric and metabolic factors in Arab patients with type 2 diabetes and in Arab control subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Ninety-two patients (65 females and 27 males) with type 2 diabetes and 69 matched normal control subjects (48 females and 21 males) were included. Anthropometric measures (including body mass index [BMI] and waist:hip ratio) were assessed in all subjects. After an overnight fast, blood was collected for serum leptin assay. Other metabolic parameters including glucose, insulin, C-peptide, intact proinsulin, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), lipids and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were determined. RESULTS Fasting serum leptin levels, IGF-1 and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were similar in patients with type 2 diabetes and control subjects. When obese subjects (BMI ≤30 kg/m2) were analyzed separately, serum levels of leptin were significantly lower in patients compared to controls. In contrast, patients had higher fasting glucose, insulin, C-peptide, intact proinsulin, insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c, and a larger waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio than controls. Serum leptin correlated positively with BMI, negatively with waist-to-hip ratio, and demonstrated no relationship to other parameters. CONCLUSION Patients with type 2 diabetes in an Arab ethnic population showed evidence of an unfavorable metabolic profile despite having leptin levels similar to controls. Obesity influences serum leptin levels more significantly in type 2 diabetes, in which leptin levels tends to be low.
Assessment of morbidity following regional nodal dissection in the axilla and groin for metastatic melanoma

This study assessed and compared the morbidity of nodal dissection in the axilla and groin including sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), completion lymph node dissection for a positive SLNB (CLND) and therapeutic lymph node dissection (TLND) with and without adjuvant radiotherapy (RT).
Digital Capabilities for Buffering Tensions of Structure, Space, and Time during Entrepreneurial Growth

Digital technologies are critical to virtually any fast-growing entrepreneurial organizations in a variety of ways. A common theme in entrepreneurial growth literature involves conceiving of growth as a liminal period of transition when certain start-up-related structures and behaviors persist, while other, more professional practices emerge. In this study, we report on an exploratory study of 20 fast-growing entrepreneurial organizations to understand how digitalization influences management practices in entrepreneurial growth. W e extend the “digital technology perspective of entrepreneurship” by showing how digital technologies and the development of associated digital capabilities can provide a buffer through which entrepreneurial organizations can professionalize their organizations. Digital capabilities for entrepreneurial growth stand in sharp contrast to those of established organizations. Key enablers of growth call for a layered modular view of digital technologies, stepwise implementation, partial integration, and reuse on the content and service layers.
Transfer of immune complexes from lymphocytes to follicular dendritic cells

Antigens in the form of immune complexes are retained on the membranes of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) for long periods of time. To examine how immune complexes reach germinal centers, where FDC are located, we injected mice with anti‐2,4‐dinitrophenyl (DNP) antibodies complexed to DNP‐myoglobin‐coated gold particles. The distribution of the particles in spleens or draining lymph nodes was then determined with the electron microscope. The vast majority of the particles were cell bound. Shortly after injection they were phagocytized by macrophages or fixed on lymphocytes. The latter were found even in the corona of lymph follicles but not in germinal centers. Already 30 min after injection, FDC in contact with the corona were faintly positive but were negative in the center. FDC precursor cells were occasionally observed but in too small a number to account for the transport of immune complexes to the germinal centers. Twenty‐four hours after injection colloidal gold particles were found in phagolysosomes of macrophages or on cytoplasmic extensions of FDC in all parts of the germinal centers.
FOXP3 Induced by CD28/B7 Interaction Regulates CD25 and Anergic Phenotype in Human CD4+CD25− T Lymphocytes1

Among the signals necessary to generate CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells from CD4+CD25−FOXP3− T cells, a pivotal role is played by CD28. However, in humans, it is not known whether CD28 signaling independently of TCR promotes forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) expression and regulates CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cell functions. To address this issue, starting from our previous experience, we analyzed the unique signals delivered by CD28 following stimulation by its natural ligand B7. Our results show that, in primary CD4+CD25− T cells, CD28 signals independent of TCR-mediated stimulatory pathways are sufficient to induce the transcription of FOXP3 in a small number of CD4+CD25− T cells committed to express FOXP3. These signals are dependent on CD28-derived PI3K/Akt pathways and resistant to cyclosporin A. In addition, we demonstrated that translated FOXP3 was recruited to CD25, Il-2, and Ctla4 target promoters. CD28-mediated FOXP3 expression was transient and correlated with CD25 expression. The presence of FOXP3 in CD28-activated CD4+CD25− T cells correlated with a transient unresponsiveness to antigenic stimuli. The addition of exogenous IL-2 did not influence either FOXP3 or CD25 expression but rescued CD28-activated T cells from apoptosis. Our results, demonstrating that FOXP3 expression driven solely by the CD28/B7 interaction inhibited T cell activation, support the role of CD28 in the regulation of peripheral tolerance and suggest a new mechanism through which it could occur.
Multidisciplinary Ophthalmic Imaging Effect of Cataract Surgery on Optical Coherence Tomography Measurements and Repeatability in Patients With Non-Insulin – Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Citation: Garcia-Martin E, Fernandez J, Gil-Arribas L, et al. Effect of cataract surgery on optical coherence tomography measurements and repeatability in patients with non-insulin–dependent diabetes mellitus. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013;54:5303–5312. DOI:10.1167/iovs.13-12390 PURPOSE. To evaluate the effect of uncomplicated cataract phacoemulsification on macular and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using two spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) instruments, Cirrus OCT and Spectralis OCT, in patients having noninsulin–dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) without retinopathy, and to assess the reliability of the OCT measurements before and after cataract surgery.
Geometric uncertainty of 2D projection imaging in monitoring 3D tumor motion

The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of two-dimensional (2D) projection imaging methods in three-dimensional (3D) tumor motion monitoring. Many commercial linear accelerator types have projection imaging capabilities, and tumor motion monitoring is useful for motion inclusive, respiratory gated or tumor tracking strategies. Since 2D projection imaging is limited in its ability to resolve the motion along the imaging beam axis, there is unresolved motion when monitoring 3D tumor motion. From the 3D tumor motion data of 160 treatment fractions for 46 thoracic and abdominal cancer patients, the unresolved motion due to the geometric limitation of 2D projection imaging was calculated as displacement in the imaging beam axis for different beam angles and time intervals. The geometric uncertainty to monitor 3D motion caused by the unresolved motion of 2D imaging was quantified using the root-mean-square (rms) metric. Geometric uncertainty showed interfractional and intrafractional variation. Patient-to-patient variation was much more significant than variation for different time intervals. For the patient cohort studied, as the time intervals increase, the rms, minimum and maximum values of the rms uncertainty show decreasing tendencies for the lung patients but increasing for the liver and retroperitoneal patients, which could be attributed to patient relaxation. Geometric uncertainty was smaller for coplanar treatments than non-coplanar treatments, as superior–inferior (SI) tumor motion, the predominant motion from patient respiration, could be always resolved for coplanar treatments. Overall rms of the rms uncertainty was 0.13 cm for all treatment fractions and 0.18 cm for the treatment fractions whose average breathing peak–trough ranges were more than 0.5 cm. The geometric uncertainty for 2D imaging varies depending on the tumor site, tumor motion range, time interval and beam angle as well as between patients, between fractions and within a fraction.
Synapse‐specific localization of NMDA and GABAA receptor subunits revealed by antigen‐retrieval immunohistochemistry

Conventional immunohistochemistry provides little evidence for the synaptic localization of ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors, suggesting that their epitopes are not readily accessible in situ. Here, we have adapted antigen retrieval procedures based on microwave irradiation to enhance the immunohistochemical staining of γ‐aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) and N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits in rat brain tissue. Microwave irradiation of fixed tissue produced a marked reduction of nonspecific staining, allowing an improved detection of GABAA receptor subunits. However, staining of NMDA receptor subunits remained suboptimal. In contrast, microwave irradiation of cryostat sections prepared from fresh tissue resulted in a major enhancement of both NMDA and GABAA receptor subunit staining. The diffuse, partially intracellular signals were largely replaced by numerous, intensely immunoreactive puncta outlining neuronal somata and dendrites, highly suggestive of synaptic receptors. In hippocampus CA1–CA3 fields, the NR2A and NR2B subunit positive puncta exhibited an extensive colocalization in the stratum oriens and radiatum, whereas pyramidal cell bodies, which receive no excitatory synapses, were unstained. In addition, the NR2A subunit, but not the NR2B subunit, was selectively detected on pyramidal cell dendrites in the stratum lucidum of CA3, suggesting a selective targeting to sites of mossy fiber input. For the GABAA receptor subunits, the most striking change induced by this protocol was the selective staining of the axon initial segment of cortical and hippocampal pyramidal cells. The α2 subunit immunoreactivity was particularly prominent in these synapses. In control experiments, the staining of cytoskeletal proteins (neurofilaments, glial fibrillary acid protein) was not influenced by prior microwave irradiation. The enhancement of cell‐surface–associated staining is therefore strongly suggestive of an ‘unmasking’ of subunit epitopes by the microwave treatment. These results reveal a remarkable specificity in the synaptic targeting of NMDA and GABAA receptor subunits in hippocampal and neocortical neurons, suggesting that individual neurons can express multiple receptor subtypes in functionally distinct synapses. J. Comp. Neurol. 390:194–210, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New MUC1 serum immunoassay differentiates pancreatic cancer from pancreatitis.

PURPOSE To evaluate a new immunoassay for identification and quantitation of MUC1 in the sera of patients with pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay are examined and compared to results from a CA19-9 immunoassay. METHODS An in vitro enzyme immunoassay was established with monoclonal antibody PAM4 as the capture reagent, and a polyclonal anti-MUC1 antibody as the probe. Patient sera were obtained from healthy, adult patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis, and those with pancreatic and other forms of cancer, and were measured for PAM4-reactive MUC1. RESULTS At a cutoff of 10.2 units/mL, 41 (77%) of 53 pancreatic cancer patients, none of the healthy individuals (n = 43), and only four (5%) of 87 patients with pancreatitis were positive above this value. Among nonpancreatic cancers investigated, colorectal cancers gave the highest percentage of positives (14%; five of 36). Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of the immunoassay for pancreatic cancer were 77% and 95%, respectively. Receiver operator characteristic analyses for discrimination of pancreatic cancer from pancreatitis provided an area under the curve of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82 to 0.93), with a specificity of 95.4% and a positive likelihood ratio of 16.8. A direct pair-wise comparison of PAM4 and CA19-9 immunoassays for discrimination of pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis resulted in a significant difference (P < .003), with the PAM4 immunoassay demonstrating superior sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION The high sensitivity and specificity observed suggest that the PAM4-based immunoassay of circulating MUC1 may be useful in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
The degeneration and re-innervation of grafted nerves.

Sections that degeneration, removal of myelin, and Schwann cell proliferation had proceeded almost normally. There were rather more macrophages in the graft than in the peripheral stump, in few there were collections of polymorphs and lymphocytes, but although the graft was 5 mm. thick there was no sign necrosis its centre. Nerve fibres were growing down graft. In three dogs homografts 35, 45 and 28 mm. were inserted into the sciatic. These grafts, 12, 25 and 29 later, appeared much swollen. Sections showed extensive collections of lymphocytes and polymorphs within around the grafts. Many macrophages were present, the break-up and removal of and myelin had proceeded much less far than in the peripheral stumps, in the autograft Moreover, there had been very little proliferation of the Schwann cells. Some nerve fibres were growing down the grafts. We most grateful to Miss Bfllbring for her help in showing, by these experiments, that in dogs, rabbits, autografts degenerate almost normally, but that'-there is some abnormality homografts.
Manganese disrupts astrocyte glutamine transporter expression and function

Glutamine (Gln) plays an important role in brain energy metabolism and as a precursor for the synthesis of neurotransmitter glutamate and GABA. Previous studies have shown that astrocytic Gln transport is impaired following manganese (Mn) exposure. The present studies were performed to identify the transport routes and the respective Gln transporters contributing to the impairment. Rat neonatal cortical primary astrocytes treated with Mn displayed a significant decrease in Gln uptake mediated by the principle Gln transporting systems, N and ASC. Moreover, systems N, ASC and L were less efficient in Gln export after Mn treatment. Mn treatment caused a significant reduction of both in mRNA expression and protein levels of SNAT3 (system N), SNAT2 (system A) and LAT2 (system L), and lowered the protein but not mRNA expression of ASCT2 (system ASC). Mn exposure did not affect the expression of the less abundant systems N transporter SNAT5 and the system L transporter LAT1, at either the mRNA or protein level. Hence, Mn‐induced decrease of inward and outward Gln transport can be largely ascribed to the loss of the specific Gln transporters. Consequently, deregulation of glutamate homeostasis and its diminished availability to neurons may lead to impairment in glutamatergic neurotransmission, a phenomenon characteristic of Mn‐induced neurotoxicity.