Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased accumulation of superficial zone protein (SZP) in articular cartilage in response to bone morphogenetic protein‐7 and growth factors

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), such as BMP‐7, growth factors, and cytokines, in the accumulation of superficial zone protein (SZP) in bovine articular cartilage. Calf superficial articular cartilage discs and chondrocytes were obtained for explant and monolayer culture systems, respectively. Dose‐ and time‐dependent actions of BMP‐7 on SZP accumulation were investigated in both explant and monolayer culture systems. In addition, actions of various morphogens and growth factors [BMP‐2, BMP‐4, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‐2), insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1), platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF), and transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β1)], and cytokines [interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α)] alone, and in combination with BMP‐7, on SZP accumulation were investigated in monolayer culture systems. SZP accumulation was quantified in both the cartilage and the medium using SDS‐PAGE and subsequent immunoblotting. In both explant and monolayer cultures, BMP‐7 increased SZP accumulation in a dose‐ and time‐dependent fashion (p < 0.05). Furthermore, SZP accumulation was significantly increased in monolayer cultures by FGF‐2, IGF‐1, PDGF, and TGF‐β1 (p < 0.05). Both IL‐1α and TNF‐α significantly reduced SZP accumulation (p < 0.05). The inhibition of SZP accumulation by TNF‐α was partially alleviated by concurrent treatment with BMP‐7. The results of this investigation provide novel insights into the role of morphogens, especially BMP‐7, growth factors, and cytokines in the accumulation of SZP in articular cartilage. This information has clinical implications because stimulation of SZP may ameliorate the pathology of joint function in arthritis. Furthermore, tissue engineering approaches to articular cartilage may depend on the optimal synthesis and assembly of SZP in the superficial zone to ensure functional tissue architecture. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 2007
A systematic model to compare nurses' optimal and actual competencies in the clinical setting.

AIM This paper is a report of a study to develop a model to compare nurses' optimal and actual competencies in the clinical setting. BACKGROUND Although future challenge is to focus the developmental and educational targets in health care, limited information is available on methods for how to predict optimal competencies. METHOD A multidisciplinary group of 24 experts on perioperative care were recruited to this study. They anticipated the effects of future challenges on perioperative care and specified the level of optimal competencies by using the Nurse Competence Scale before and after group discussions. The expert group consensus discussions were held to achieve the highest possible agreement on the overall level of optimal competencies. Registered Nurses (n = 87) and their nurse managers from five different units conducted assessments of the actual level of nurse competence with the Nurse Competence Scale instrument. Data were collected in 2006-2007. RESULTS Group consensus discussions solidified experts' anticipations about the optimal competence level. This optimal competence level was significantly higher than the nurses' self-reported actual or nurse managers' assessed level of actual competence. The study revealed some competence items that were seen as key challenges for future education of professional nursing practice. CONCLUSION It is important that the multidisciplinary experts in a particular care context develop a share understanding of the future competency requirements of patient care. Combining optimal competence profiles to systematic competence assessments contribute to targeted continual learning and educational interventions.
Motor learning in children with spina bifida: Intact learning and performance on a ballistic task

Learning and performance on a ballistic task were investigated in children with spina bifida meningomyelocele (SBM), with either upper level spinal lesions (n = 21) or lower level spinal lesions (n = 81), and in typically developing controls (n = 35). Participants completed three phases (20 trials each) of an elbow goniometer task that required a ballistic arm movement to move a cursor to one of two target positions on a screen, including (1) an initial learning phase, (2) an adaptation phase with a gain change such that recalibration of the ballistic arm movement was required, and (3) a learning reactivation phase under the original gain condition. Initial error rate, asymptotic error rate, and learning rate did not differ significantly between the SBM and control groups. Relative to controls, the SBM group had reduced volumes in the cerebellar hemispheres and pericallosal gray matter (the region including the basal ganglia), although only the pericallosal gray matter was significantly correlated with motor adaptation. Congenital cerebellar dysmorphology is associated with preserved motor skill learning on voluntary, nonreflexive tasks in children with SBM, in whom the relative roles of the cerebellum and basal ganglia may differ from those in the adult brain. (JINS, 2006, 12, 598–608.)
Benefits for Women and Men of Inquiry-Based Learning in College Mathematics: A Multi-Institution Study.

Slow faculty uptake of research-based, student-centered teaching and learning approaches limits the advancement of U.S. undergraduate mathematics education. A study of inquiry-based learning (IBL) as implemented in over 100 course sections at 4 universities provides an example of such multicourse, multi-institution uptake. Despite variation in how IBL was implemented, student outcomes are improved in IBL courses relative to traditionally taught courses, as assessed by general measures that apply across course types. Particularly striking, the use of IBL eliminates a sizable gender gap that disfavors women students in lecture-based courses. The study suggests the real-world promise of broad uptake of student-centered teaching methods that improve learning outcomes and, ultimately, student retention in college mathematics.
Evolution and mechanics of unguligrady in artiodactyls

Artiodactyls show a step-wise morphological transition from groups with a primitive and pentadactyl limb configuration to groups with more derived and didactyl limb configurations. An analysis of proportions of the forelimb segments indicates that artiodactyls separate based on digit number in the manus along a morphometrical axis indicating relatively longer manus segments. The three digit configurations in artiodactyls (pentadactyl, tetradactyl, didactyl) are identified and the relevant bony characteristics of each configuration are described. Among tetradactyl groups, there are two grades of anatomy in the manus. In the more derived tetradactyl groups (tayassuids, tragulids, and early camelids), the proximal volar metacarpal process reduces and joints of the digit become more ginglymal in comparison with the less derived tetradactyl groups (ticholeptine and merychyine oreodonts, leptomerycid traguloids, primitive cainotheres, oromerycids and protoceratids). The foot posture of members of the pentadactyl groups is interpreted as digitigrade. The evolution of unguligrady took place between the morphological condition of the primitive type of tetradactyl manus and the derived type of tetradactyl manus. This transition to unguligrady occurred at least 3 times and was facilitated each time by the formation of ginglymal joints of the digit and the transition to interosseus ligaments from muscular precursors.
The Use and Representational Faithfulness of Graphs in Annual Reports: Australian Evidence

Effective communication of information using graphs depends on the graphs being constructed so that they faithfully represent the underlying data. If certain principles of graphic construction are violated, graphs will be distorted and may mislead users of financial statements. The paper develops and tests hypotheses concerning the relationship between the use and construction of graphs in the annual reports of companies and the performance of those companies.
A new model of strategic thinking competency

Purpose – This paper seeks to present new insights into strategic thinking, proposing a model of strategic thinking competency.Design/methodology/approach – To find new knowledge, the research applies the Straussian grounded theory research method using multiple sources and techniques of data inquiry: in‐depth interviews, observations, literature review, and related published documents. The sample cases are business leaders of leading high growth companies in their respective markets, representing eleven different industries in Thailand.Findings – Among many new knowledge, the study found seven characteristics of strategic thinking that impacts strategy formulation, strategic actions, and business performance: conceptual thinking ability, visionary thinking, analytical thinking ability, synthesizing ability, objectivity, creativity, and learning ability. This set of abilities and skilled are termed “strategic thinking competency”. Research limitations/implications – In‐depth interview data inquiry method h.
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Is Associated with Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Introduction: The etiology of primary open-angle glaucoma remains unclear. Various risk factors, including vascular abnormalities, have been associated with this disease. Sleep-associated diseases, like sleep apnea syndrome, might also represent a risk factor. Sleep apnea syndrome is characterized by repetitive upper airway obstructions during sleep, inducing hypoxia and sleep disruption with the risk of cardiovascular and neurological sequelae. In this study, we determined the prevalence of sleep apnea syndrome in primary open-angle glaucoma patients. Methods: Overnight transcutaneous finger oximetry was performed in 30 consecutive patients having primary open-angle glaucoma. We assessed the oximetry disturbance index during night sleep, a parameter used to diagnose sleep apnea syndrome and to grade its severity. Results: Sleep apnea syndrome was more prevalent among primary open-angle glaucoma patients compared to normal historic controls of the same age and sex distribution (χ2 = 9.35, d.f. = 3, p < 0.025). The oximetry disturbance index grade was significantly larger in the primary open-angle glaucoma group compared to normal controls (U = 3,352, p = 0.01). According to the oximetry disturbance index, 20% (6/30) of primary open-angle glaucoma patients had sleep apnea syndrome. Conclusion: Primary open-angle glaucoma is associated with sleep apnea syndrome. Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea syndrome are important to avoid cardiovascular and neurological complications.
Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from bovine mastitic milk: bacteriophage and antimicrobial agent susceptibility, and enterotoxigenicity.

Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from bovine mastitic milk in Trinidad were examined for their susceptibility to bacteriophages and antimicrobial agents and their ability to produce enterotoxins. Phage 42D was used to screen for bovine strains of S. aureus in milk. Of 250 strains tested, 224 (89.6%) were sensitive to phages in the international phage set (IPS), 85 (34.0%) were resistant to antimicrobial agents and 134 (53.6%) were enterotoxigenic. Strains lysed by phages in various groups (mixed) were prevalent, 145 (58.0%), followed by strains sensitive to groups III (17.0%) and I (8.8%) phages. A total of 72 (28.8%) strains were lysed by phage 42D either alone or with others. Resistance to penicillin was most common with 59 (23.6%) strains while 44 (17.6%) and 43 (17.2%) strains were resistant to ampicillin and triple sulphur respectively. Only 3 (1.2%) strains were resistant to methicillin. Prevalence of resistance to penicillin (12.5%) amongst phage 42D-sensitive strains was significantly (P < or = 0.01; X2) lower than for strains not lysed by phage 42D (28.1%) but strains susceptible to phage 42D were significantly (P < or = 0.05; X2) more resistant (4.2%) to methicillin than those not lysed by the phage (0.0%). Amongst 134 enterotoxigenic strains, 32 (23.9%), 77 (57.5%), 67 (50.0%) and 21 (15.7%) produced staphylococcal enterotoxins A(SEA), B(SEB), C(SEC) and D(SED) respectively either alone or mixed. SEB and SEC were significantly (P < or = 0.01; X2) more produced than either SEA or SED. Strains lysed by groups IV, i.e. 42D (62.5%), and III (56.7%) were more enterotoxigenic than those sensitive to phages in groups II (45.5%) and non-typable (46.2%) but the differences were not statistically significant (P > or = 0.05; X2). Strains lysed by group II phages (72.7%) were significantly (P < or = 0.05; X2) more resistant to antimicrobial agents than those lysed by phage 42D (18.8%). It was concluded that bovine mastitis strains of S. aureus in Trinidad were highly susceptible to bacteriophages and antimicrobial agents and enterotoxigenic and less than one-third may be considered to be bovine strains.
Pollinex® Quattro Ragweed: safety evaluation of a new allergy vaccine adjuvanted with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL®) for the treatment of ragweed pollen allergy

A novel allergy vaccine (Pollinex® Quattro Ragweed) has been developed for the prevention or relief of allergic symptoms caused by pollen from Ambrosia spp. (ragweed). An extract from the pollen (chemically modified by glutaraldehyde) is adsorbed onto l‐tyrosine with addition of the immunostimulatory adjuvant, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL®). A specific preclinical safety testing strategy was developed to support clinical use and comprised reference to preclinical data available for the marketed non‐MPL® adjuvanted form of the ragweed vaccine (Pollinex® R) and a new repeat dose toxicity study in the rat. Studies with Pollinex® R comprised single dose subcutaneous toxicity studies in mice and rats, repeat dose (10 injections over 20 days) parenteral toxicity studies in rats and dogs, an in vitro gene mutation assay along with single and multiple injection local tolerance studies in rats and dogs. The repeat dose subcutaneous toxicity study with Pollinex® Quattro Ragweed involved seven injections over 3 weeks (which was more aggressive than the four weekly doses used in the clinic) with dose levels of up to 0.5 ml per animal used. Overall, the product showed no toxicological findings of significance at levels greatly in excess of those proposed for clinical use. As is a feature with vaccination, some dose site irritation was seen. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Miller Fisher syndrome associated with Burkitt's lymphoma

Safety and efficacy of recombinant human alpha-galactosidase replacement therapy in Fabry’s disease. New England Journal of Medicine 2001; 2001; 345: 9–16. 4. Schiffmann R, Kopp JB, Austin HA III, et al. Enzyme replacement therapy in Fabry disease: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2001; 285: 2743–2749. 5. Sampietro T, Tuoni M, Ferdeghini M, et al. Plasma cholesterol regulates soluble cell adhesion molecule expression in familial hypercholesterolemia. Circulation 1997; 96: 1381–1385. 6. DeGraba T, Azhar S, Dignat-George F, Brown E, et al. Profile of endothelial and leukocyte activation in Fabry patients. Annals of Neurology 2000; 47: 229–233.
Yield of acid-fast smear and mycobacterial culture for tuberculosis diagnosis in people with human immunodeficiency virus.

RATIONALE The World Health Organization recently revised its recommendations for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in people with HIV. Most studies cited to support these policies involved HIV-uninfected patients and only evaluated sputum specimens. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the performance of acid-fast bacilli smear and mycobacterial culture on sputum and nonsputum specimens for TB diagnosis in a cross-sectional survey of HIV-infected patients. METHODS In Thailand and Vietnam, we enrolled people with HIV regardless of signs or symptoms. Enrolled patients provided three sputum, one urine, one stool, one blood, and, for patients with palpable peripheral adenopathy, one lymph node aspirate specimen for acid-fast bacilli microscopy and mycobacterial culture on solid and broth-based media. We classified any patient with at least one specimen culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis as having TB. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Of 1,060 patients enrolled, 147 (14%) had TB. Of 126 with pulmonary TB, the incremental yield of performing a third sputum smear over two smears was 2% (95% confidence interval, 0-6), 90 (71%) patients were detected on broth-based culture of the first sputum specimen, and an additional 21 (17%) and 12 (10%) patients were diagnosed with the second and third specimens cultured. Of 82 lymph nodes cultured, 34 (42%) grew M. tuberculosis. In patients with two negative sputum smears, broth-based culture of three sputum specimens had the highest yield of any testing strategy. CONCLUSIONS In people with HIV living in settings where mycobacterial culture is not routinely available to all patients, a third sputum smear adds little to the diagnosis of TB. Broth-based culture of three sputum specimens diagnoses most TB cases, and lymph node aspiration provides the highest incremental yield of any nonpulmonary specimen test for TB.
Pedagogical Sustainability of a Rural School And its Relationship with Community

Abstract This article presents and analyses a single pedagogic case of a small, rural primary state school in Queensland, Australia. The researchers spent one day per week for nineteen weeks serving the role of visiting teachers to the school. The goal of the research was to inquire into the pedagogical sustainability of this rural school and its relationship with community. Data was interpreted through Kilpatrick, Johns & Mulford’s (2003b) school–community partnership framework. The key research finding was that the impacts of school–community partnership initiated through an inquiry-based teaching and learning project extended beyond the scope and longevity of the project, thereby predicting pedagogical sustainability.
ST-GAN: Unsupervised Facial Image Semantic Transformation Using Generative Adversarial Networks

Image semantic transformation aims to convert one image into another image with different semantic features (e.g., face pose, hairstyle). The previous methods, which learn the mapping function from one image domain to the other, require supervised information directly or indirectly. In this paper, we propose an unsupervised image semantic transformation method called semantic transformation generative adversarial networks (ST-GAN), and experimentally verify it on face dataset. We further improve ST-GAN with the Wasserstein distance to generate more realistic images and propose a method called local mutual information maximization to obtain a more explicit semantic transformation. ST-GAN has the ability to map the image semantic features into the latent vector and then perform transformation by controlling the latent vector.
The occurrence of pre-analytical errors in diagnosing of parasite infections in dogs and cats in Poland.

Wojciech Zygner, Olga Gojska-Zygner, Karol Sobkow, Halina Wedrychowicz 4 Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland Center of Small Animal Health Clinic Multiwet, Gagarina 5, 00-753 Warsaw, Poland Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory – Lab-Wet, Wita Stwosza 30, 02-661 Warsaw, Poland W. Stefanski Institute of Parasitology, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
Characterization of heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity in sedentary individuals and male athletes

Introduction: The capacity to vary the heart rate represents important physiologic role in the daily life. The variations of the RR intervals is dependent of biological modulators as the autonomic nervous system. Those variations constitute the heart rate variability (HRV). Methods: 10 athletes (Atl) and 10 sedentary (Sed) male individuals (20-35 age) were submitted to digital electrocardiography, in rest, before, during and after the maneuver. The values of RR were analyzed (software Matlab 6.1), in the time domain. Results: Both Sed and Atl presented mean heart rate of 73.5 bpm ± 2,5 and 51 bpm ± 2,4, respectively. Related to the RR intervals, the group of Sed presented average of 826.58 bad ± 5.3 and the group Atl, 1189.18 ± 6.9. The return time of sympathetic system after the maneuver was 72 ± 12 s (Sed) 37 ± 6 s (Atl). The return time of parasympathetic system was 80 ± 11 s (Sed) and 40 ± 8 s (Atl). The pNN50 was of 10 ± 3,3 (Sed) and 42,10 ± 6,9 (Atl). The value of RR variation above the average of the whole sign was 343 ± 40 (Sed) and 175 ± 39 (Atl). The RR variation below the average of the whole sign was 281 ± 27 (Sed) and 425 ± 26 (Atl). Conclusions: The analysis of HRV associated to the Valsalva maneuver can represent a simple, but important tool, for possible inferences on physical aptitude.
Study on Host Predisposing Factors and Diagnostic Tests for Canine Parvovirus (CPV-2) Infection in Dogs

In the present study, a total 61 faecal samples from dogs, showing symptom of Canine Parvovirus infection, were collected from in and around Navsari district. The samples were screened for CPV by different diagnostic methods viz. Immuno Chromatographic Assay (ICA), Haemagglutination (HA) test, Enzyme linked immuno sorbant assay (ELISA) Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Isolation of CPV by culture of virus on Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells. Out of five assays tested, PCR was found to be the most sensitive (62.29%) in detecting CPV followed by HA test (50.82%), virus isolation (50.00%), ICA (37.70%) and sandwich ELISA (31.14%). Considering PCR as most sensitive test, overall prevalence rate was found as 62.29%. Along with samples clinical history of animals was collected to determine the host predisposing factors. Majority of dogs affected were in the age group of 0-3 months (47.37%), then 3-6 months (39.47 %) and were males (24/38; 63.16%). Breed wise study revealed that desi/local breeds (26.32 %) were more susceptible followed by Labrador retriever (18.42%) and German shepherd (15.79%). Non-vaccinated dogs (71.05 %) were more victimized to CPV infection than the vaccinated dogs. Season wise incidence showed that cases were almost exclusively occurred in winter (97.37%) followed by monsoon (2.63%).
Is there an educational penalty for being suspended from school?

Suspension from school is a commonly used, yet controversial, school disciplinary measure. This paper uses unique survey data to estimate the impact of suspension on the educational outcomes of those suspended. It finds that while suspension is strongly associated with educational outcomes, the relationship is unlikely to be causal, but rather likely stems from differences in the characteristics of those suspended compared to those not suspended. Moreover, there is no evidence that suspension is associated with larger educational penalties for young people from disadvantaged family backgrounds compared to those from more advantaged family backgrounds. These results hold regardless of whether self-reported suspension or mother-reported suspension is considered. The absence of a clear negative causal impact of suspension on educational outcomes suggests that suspension may continue to play a role in school discipline without harming the educational prospects of those sanctioned.