Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein 1 mediates estrogen rapid signaling and neuroprotection in the brain

Significance Ever since the rapid extranuclear signaling effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) were first identified in the brain decades ago, it has remained an enigma as to how these nonclassical effects are achieved. Using a forebrain-specific knockout animal model, the current study demonstrates that a recently cloned estrogen receptor coregulator protein, Proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein 1 (PELP1), is critical for mediating E2 regulation of rapid extranuclear signaling, as well as E2-induced neuroprotection and cognitive function in the hippocampus after ischemic injury. Our studies also identified PELP1 as a novel interacting protein and a substrate of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β). Finally, PELP1 was also shown to mediate E2 genomic effects to regulate genes involved in inflammation, metabolism, and survival after ischemic injury. 17-β estradiol (E2) has been implicated as neuroprotective in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, we provide genetic evidence, using forebrain-specific knockout (FBKO) mice, that proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein 1 (PELP1), an estrogen receptor coregulator protein, is essential for the extranuclear signaling and neuroprotective actions of E2 in the hippocampal CA1 region after global cerebral ischemia (GCI). E2-mediated extranuclear signaling (including activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Akt) and antiapoptotic effects [such as attenuation of JNK signaling and increase in phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β)] after GCI were compromised in PELP1 FBKO mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that PELP1 interacts with GSK3β, E2 modulates interaction of PELP1 with GSK3β, and PELP1 is a novel substrate for GSK3β. RNA-seq analysis of control and PELP1 FBKO mice after ischemia demonstrated alterations in several genes related to inflammation, metabolism, and survival in PELP1 FBKO mice, as well as a significant reduction in the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In addition, PELP1 FBKO studies revealed that PELP1 is required for E2-mediated neuroprotection and for E2-mediated preservation of cognitive function after GCI. Collectively, our data provide the first direct in vivo evidence, to our knowledge, of an essential role for PELP1 in E2-mediated rapid extranuclear signaling, neuroprotection, and cognitive function in the brain.
Three sets of mediators between transformational leadership and team performance

This thesis contributes to what we know about the mediation between transformational leadership and team performance in organizations through three sets of variables. The ideas within this Ph.D. thesis are based on an integration of a set of theories: transformational leadership theory, social cognitive theory, psychological empowerment theory, goal setting theory and social exchange theory. Each of the three core chapters describes a study addressing such a set.
The Current Role of Radiofrequency Ablation in the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review

Objective:To review the current status of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Summary Background Data:The development of local ablative therapy has been 1 of the major advances in the treatment of HCC. Its role in the management of HCC is still rapidly evolving. Methods:Studies were identified by searching Medline, and PubMed databases for articles from January 1997 to April 2008 using the keywords “radiofrequency ablation,” “hepatocellular carcinoma” and “ablation of HCC. ” Additional papers were identified by a manual search of the references from the key articles. Randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized comparative studies, cohort studies, were reviewed. Cohort studies with follow-up of less than 12 months and case reports were excluded. Results:Five aspects of RFA were analyzed: (1) RFA in comparison with other local ablative therapies; (2) RFA for unresectable HCC; (3) RFA as bridging therapy before liver transplantation; (4) RFA as primary treatment for resectable HCC; and (5) RFA for recurrent HCC after partial hepatectomy. Ten RCTs, 8 nonrandomized controlled trials and 26 cohort studies were included in this analysis. Conclusions:The evidence in the medical literature showed RFA was more effective than other local ablative therapies, and supported its use in the treatment of unresectable small HCC, recurrent small HCC, and as bridging therapy before liver transplantation, and as a primary treatment in competition with partial hepatectomy for resectable small HCC.
Lung carcinoma

T helper type 1 cells (Th1), Th2, T cytotoxic type 1 cells (Tc1), and Tc2 play important immunoregulatory roles. Some recent studies have demonstrated that an elevated level of type 2 cytokines, such as interleukin‐10, contributes to the ability of cancer cells to escape immunosurveillance. However, the impacts of Th1, Th2, Tc1, and Tc2 on tumor immunity are unclear.
Online Social Network Sites and the Concept of Social Capital

1. Introduction During the past decade usage of online social network sites has grown dramatically, now rivaling search engines as the most visited Internet sites (Experian Hitwise, 2010). With the rise of such mega‐sites as Facebook, which by itself now boasts more than 400 million active users around the world (Facebook Press Room, 2010), online social network use has become a fixture in the lives of a large proportion of the world's 1.8 billion Internet users (Internet World Stats, 2010). Growing evidence from analyses of online social network site use suggests that these sites have become important tools for managing relationships with a large and often heterogeneous network of people who provide social support and serve as conduits for useful information and other resources (boyd & Ellison, 2007; Ellison et al., 2007). Such SNS benefits are derived from social relationships and have been broadly conceptualized as social capital outcomes of SNS use (Ellison et al., 2007). Beyond identifying benefits, new research explores the factors that lead to improved outcomes for SNS users (Burke et al., 2010; Ellison et al, 2010). Given the pervasive use of social network sites (SNSs), there is a need for a careful assessment of the ways in which users incorporate these tools into their daily lives and obtain benefits from use. The goals of the paper are therefore to review the broad themes from this body of work, and to examine the underlying mechanisms through which social capital benefits are generated. By exposing such mechanisms, we will be better prepared to educate future users about usage strategies, as well as aid designers who are adding social features to many new forms of online media. The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. First, social network sites are briefly introduced and defined, so as to differentiate them from other forms of online communities. The paper then introduces the notion of social capital and summarizes key findings from research exploring the linkages between social capital and the Internet. We then review the literature investigating the social capital implications of online social network sites. As part of this review, we explore the underlying mechanisms that can explain how social network sites contribute to social capital formation. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research.
Unrestricted Access to Sugammadex: Impact on Neuromuscular Blocking Agent Choice, Reversal Practice and Associated Healthcare Costs

Sugammadex is known to rapidly and completely reverse the effects of amino-steroidal neuromuscular blocking agents. However, the high costs of sugammadex have so far prevented its introduction as the standard reversal agent in most healthcare systems. At the Royal Perth Hospital, sugammadex was recently introduced as an unrestricted alternative to neostigmine for the reversal of amino-steroidal neuromuscular blocking agents. The aim of this retrospective observational audit was to investigate the impact of this change on clinical practice and associated healthcare costs. Data from all patients intubated during a one-month period in April to May 2010 and for a similar period in 2011 were retrospectively collected and the use of neuromuscular blocking agents and reversal agents were identified and the associated costs were calculated. More steroidal neuromuscular blocking agents and sugammadex (+743%), but less glycopyrrolate and neostigmine (-48%) were used in 2011. Using the manufacturer's list price, muscle relaxation and reversal costs increased from about A$42 per case to about A$127 per case. Between the investigated time periods no differences were found for anaesthesia time, operating time or time spent in the post anaesthesia care unit. However, there was a statistically significant decrease in the time between surgery and discharge (median 2.0 vs 2.2 days). While the design of the audit was such that no inferences can be made about the cause of this change, this is an interesting observation worthy of further investigation.
Biological follow‐up in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: decrease in creatinine levels and increase in ferritin levels predict poor prognosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disorder of the motor neuron system, with a median survival of 2 to 4 years and a wide variety of prognosis. Thus, there is a critical need for diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers to improve the care of patients in routine practice. In this study, we aimed to determine prognostic value of routine biochemical markers in sporadic ALS (SALS).
Esophageal stenosis after endoscopic mucosal resection of superficial esophageal lesions.

BACKGROUND Although bleeding and perforation are generally recognized major complications of endoscopic mucosal resection, esophageal stricture after endoscopic mucosal resection has not been well studied. Factors associated with the occurrence and severity of esophageal stenosis after endoscopic mucosal resection were investigated. METHODS Two hundred sixteen superficial esophageal lesions in 137 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic mucosal resection from February 1993 through March 2001 were retrospectively studied. The circumferential extent of the mucosal defect after endoscopic mucosal resection was classified into 4 groups: under one fourth, one fourth to one half, one half to three fourths, and over three fourths. The longitudinal length of the mucosal defect was also evaluated. Stenosis was diagnosed when a standard endoscope (11-mm diameter) could not be passed through the stricture. RESULTS Esophageal stenosis developed after endoscopic mucosal resection of 13 lesions (6.0%). In all these cases endoscopic mucosal resection resulted in a mucosal defect that involved over three fourths of the luminal circumference. In the subgroup of patients with mucosal defects involving over three fourths of the circumference, those with a mucosal defect over 30 mm long required more frequent balloon dilatation (mean 8 [4.3] times) and the stenosis was of longer duration (mean 16 [17.7] months) than those with defects 30 mm or less in length (respectively, 1 [0.6] times and 2 [1.9] months). CONCLUSIONS A circumferential mucosal defect involving over three fourths the circumference of the esophagus after endoscopic mucosal resection was significantly associated with the subsequent development of esophageal stenosis. In addition, mucosal defects longer than 30 mm were associated with greater severity of stenosis. When endoscopic mucosal resection is performed for superficial esophageal lesions, removal of excess mucosa should be avoided.
Working towards Peace through Education: The Case of Israeli Jews and Palestinians

In the present article, I discuss current and past peace and reconciliation educational efforts conducted between Palestinians and Israelis. I concentrate on the educational initiatives conducted for Jewish-and Palestinian-Israeli citizens and not on those less common taking place between Israelis and Palestinians in the Palestinian Authority. In the first section of this article I describe the Israeli sociopolitical and educational context. I then review the main theoretical perspectives which underwrite the educational work undertaken. The third section is dedicated to reviewing the main existing programs and offering information regarding research results where research has been conducted, and in the fourth and last section I offer critical insights on the educational initiatives portrayed.
Melatonin and tadalafil treatment improves erectile dysfunction after spinal cord injury in rats

Oxidative stress plays an important role both in spinal cord injury (SCI) and erectile dysfunction (ED). The present study investigated the effects of melatonin and tadalafil treatment alone or in combination on SCI‐induced ED. Male Wistar albino rats (n = 40) were divided into five groups: sham‐operated control and SCI‐injured rats given either vehicle, melatonin (10 mg/kg, i.p.), tadalafil (10 mg/kg, p.o.) or a combination of melatonin and tadalafil. Spinal cord injury was induced using a standard weight‐drop method. On Day 7 after SCI, intracavernosal pressure (ICP) was measured and all rats were decapitated. Cavernosal tissues were obtained to examine caspase 3, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as cGMP, nerve growth factor (NGF), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Spinal cord injury caused oxidative damage, as evidenced by increases in MDA and cGMP levels. In addition, MPO and caspase 3 activites were increased after SCI, whereas GSH and NGF levels and SOD activity were reduced. Melatonin effectively reversed these oxidative changes. Furthermore, in rats treated with both melatonin and tadalafil, the recoveries were more pronounced than in rats given either melatonin or tadalafil alone. The ICP/mean arterial pressure value in vehicle‐treated SCI rats was significantly higher than in the control group, whereas in the tadalafil‐ and tadalafil + melatonin‐treated groups have returned this value had returned to control levels. As an individual treatment, and especially when combined with tadalafil, a well‐known agent in the treatment of ED, melatonin prevented SCI‐induced oxidative damage to cavernosal tissues and restored ED, most likely due to its anti‐oxidant effects.
Connection Admission Control Reward Optimization for Different Priority Classes in Homogeneous Wireless Network

Nowadays, Connection Admission Control (CAC) reward optimization for a service with different priority classes in a homogeneous wireless network has become one of the most important issues. In this paper, a novel expansion for the Guard Channel Based Incremental and Dynamic Optimization algorithm is presented. GUIDO will be used to analyze a reward scheme that correlates service demand with weights on pricing, after which optimal weights are deduced for maximum system reward, taking into consideration QoS for the different priority classes. An analytical model is presented based upon Lagrangian Optimization criterion and is used to verify the optimal weights. The paper thus, suggests the optimal weights on pricing for maximum system reward and offers an analytical derivation for them.
Identification of barriers to clinical trials: The impact of education level.

6003 Background: Patient (pt) participation in clinical trials remains low. We previously described psychosocial and practical barriers to enrollment (J NCCN, 2007). During development of an intervention to improve pt preparation for consideration of clinical trials, we conducted a survey to identify pt characteristics associated with knowledge and attitudinal barriers (NIH R01 CA127655 ). METHODS Eligible pts were adults with a cancer diagnosis scheduled for their first medical oncologist visit. Informed consent was obtained to participate in a survey before the initial consultation. The survey included demographic information and an assessment of potential clinical trials barriers. Items included 19 correct-incorrect knowledge questions and 29 attitudinal barriers that were assessed on a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree, 5=strongly agree; 4-5 scored as "positive"). Cronbach's alphas and factor analysis were used to develop four attitudinal barriers subscales: fears and emotions, knowledge and finances, logistics, and mistrust of the medical system. Multiple linear regression analysis examined the relationship of demographics with barriers. RESULTS 156 pts enrolled: 40% female, 23% African American (AA), 42% college educated, mean age 58.7 years. Non-AA pts answered more knowledge questions correctly (mean 11.5 vs. 9.1, p=0.002) as did college educated pts (mean 13 vs. 9.5, p<0.001). Race was not associated with attitudinal barriers in the multivariable analysis. College education was associated with fewer attitudinal barriers (fears and emotions, p=0.092; knowledge and finances, p=0.005; logistics, p<0.001; mistrust of the medical system, p=0.049). Females scored higher on the fears and emotions subscale (p=0.015). Most commonly cited attitudinal barriers were fear of side effects on a clinical trial (54% of pts), not knowing where to find a clinical trial (40%) and unwillingness to travel extra distance for a clinical trial (39%). CONCLUSIONS Lower educational level and female gender, but not race, are independently associated with barriers to clinical trials, suggesting a tailored approach to addressing these barriers is warranted. Socioeconomic status rather than race should be a focus of these efforts.
Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of the lung fluke, Paragonimus ohirai (Trematoda: Troglotrematidae), in the seminal receptacle

The seminal receptacle of Paragonimus ohirai contains not only mature spermatozoa, but also atypical and degenerate ones, suggesting that abnormal spermatozoa are retained in this organ. The spermatozoon is of a parallel biflagellar type with cortical microtubules, consisting of the anterior region, first mitochondrial region, intermediate (amitochondrial) region, second mitochondrial region, posterior nuclear region (PNR) and tail region (TR). The first third of the spermatozoon exhibits typical undulatory movement, while the middle part shows vibratory movement. At the area between head and midsections (H‐M area) the peripheral doublets of axonemes are interrupted, and the external ornamentation is distributed widely around this portion. Throughout the immotile PNR and TR, the axonemes lack the dynein arms of their peripheral doublets. H‐M, PNR, and TR ultrastructural characteristics are specific in P. ohirai spermatozoon and seem to be closely related to its pattern of movement.
SUITABILITY OF SOCCER TRAINING DRILLS FOR ENDURANCE TRAINING

Recent evidence suggests that certain soccer drills produce exercise intensities suitable for physical conditioning. However, it remains debatable whether soccer drills can provide a sufficiently unified exercise intensity among different players and on repetition of a drill, because movement patterns cannot be externally controlled during soccer drills. Good reliability and low variability of exercise intensity would enable all players to receive an appropriate training stimulus. The purpose of this study was to investigate intersubject variability and intrasubject reliability in exercise intensity during soccer drills. It was hypothesized that soccer drills that involve the highest exercise intensities would demonstrate the lowest intersubject variability and the highest intrasubject reliability. Heart rates of 23 professional soccer players were recorded during a range of soccer training drills. The drills consisted of 2 vs. 2 to 8 vs. 8 normal scoring games and 2 further possession games. Heart rate responses were examined for variability, reliability, and suitability for soccer endurance training. Coefficients of variation across players were less than 3% for all drills. Paired t-tests showed no significant differences in heart rate on repetition of the drills and 95% ratio limits of agreement were 1.8–3.8%. There were no significant correlations between exercise intensity and the statistical measures of variability and reliability. Several drills produced exercise intensities suitable for soccer endurance training with mean heart rate responses ranging from 87–91% HRmax. Soccer drills such as those used in the present study appear to be an adequate substitute for physical training without the ball and thus provide simultaneous skill and fitness training. The increase in training time spent developing technical ability and/or a reduction in total training time required may be useful for soccer teams.
Awareness of correct use of a seatbelt among pregnant women and health professionals: A multicentric survey

Summary A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine if pregnant women and healthcare professionals were aware of the correct use of a seatbelt and if advice was given. A total of 154 pregnant women and 56 health professionals were included in the study. A total of 115 (74.6 %) pregnant women wore seatbelts as drivers; 51 (33.1%) women were concerned about wearing the seatbelt in pregnancy; eight (14.2 %) received advice from health professionals. Incorrect positioning of a seatbelt was indicated by 67 (43.5 %) pregnant women and nine (16 %) health professionals. The majority of the doctors and community midwives advised women on seatbelt use only if asked. This study shows that almost half of pregnant women are ignorant of the correct use of a seatbelt, which puts them at risk for injuries. Well-informed prenatal care providers should substantially influence the practice among pregnant women through education.
Human forearm position sense after fatigue of elbow flexor muscles

After a period of eccentric exercise of elbow flexor muscles of one arm in young, adult human subjects, muscles became fatigued and damaged. Damage indicators were a fall in force, change in resting elbow angle and delayed onset of soreness. After the exercise, subjects were asked to match the forearm angle of one arm, whose position was set by the experimenter, with their other arm. Subjects matched the position of the unsupported reference arm, when this was unexercised, with a significantly more flexed position in their exercised indicator arm. Errors were in the opposite direction when the reference arm was exercised. The size of the errors correlated with the drop in force. Less consistent errors were observed when the reference arm was supported. A similar pattern of errors was seen after concentric exercise, which does not produce muscle damage. The data suggested that subjects were using as a position cue the perceived effort required to maintain a given forearm angle against the force of gravity. The fall in force from fatigue after exercise meant more effort was required to maintain a given position. That led to matching errors between the exercised and unexercised arms. It was concluded that while a role for muscle spindles in kinaesthesia cannot be excluded, detailed information about static limb position can be derived from the effort required to support the limb against the force of gravity.
The Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure: A useful tool for predicting sovereign crises?

This paper provides an empirical analysis of the Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure (MIP). It explores the relationship between sovereign bond yields spreads and the variables contained in the MIP scoreboard using quantile regressions. Results suggest that MIP indicators can explain the behavior of sovereign spreads two, three and four quarters in advance. The scoreboard can’t capture strong non-variant country effects that affect the evolution of spreads as well as the different impact that each indicator has on different countries. The introduction of employment indicators has reduced the aggregate effect that country effects have on sovereign spreads.