Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Medical Education Research As Translational Science

Rigorous application of basic behavioral science principles in educational settings produces significant improvements in patient care practices and patient outcomes. Research on medical education is translational science when rigorous studies on trainee clinical skill and knowledge acquisition address key health care problems and measure outcomes in controlled laboratory settings (T1 translational research); when these outcomes transfer to clinics, wards, and offices where better health care is delivered (T2); and when patient or public health improves as a result of educational practices (T3). This Commentary covers features of medical education interventions and environments that contribute to translational outcomes, reviews selected research studies that advance translational science in medical education at all three levels, and presents pathways to improve medical education translational science.
Knowledge management in a multicultural environment: a South African perspective

Purpose – Numerous authors contend that there are dissimilarities in the way people, especially those from different cultural backgrounds, interpret or accept knowledge sharing. Ribiere and Sitar argue that, as a result of their educational systems, western cultures do not encourage a social exemplar of knowledge sharing. Yeh and Ma concur, arguing that western cultures are more likely to embrace values of self‐determination, independence and the attainment of personal interest. In contrast, Yang argues that Asian cultures nurture a sharing and teamwork environment or approach to activities. Very little is mentioned in literature about knowledge sharing in African cultures and/or African organisations. Specifically, not much is known regarding knowledge sharing in settings where the roles of dominance of one culture over another are reversed or neutralised, either by force or law, or by natural progression. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue.Design/methodology/approach – Being in the fortu.
Penicillin Treatment of Syphilis Clearing Away the Shadow on the Land

JAMA. 1944;126(2):63-67, 67-73, 73-80. In the follow-up to a preliminary report on the use of penicillin for early syphilis, Mahoney and colleagues presented the promising posttreatment observations of the original patients studied for periods in excess of 300 days. They also reported information on the treatment of an additional 100 patients. The accompanying papers in the same issue of JAMA reported on the results obtained by the National Research Council’s newly formed Penicillin Panel. Those preliminary results are presented for both early and late syphilis.
Parameter constraints in a near-equipartition model with multifrequency NuSTAR, Swift, and Fermi-LAT data from 3C 279

Precise spectra of 3C 279 in the 0.5–70 keV range, obtained during two epochs of Swift and NuSTAR observations, are analysed using a near-equipartition model. We apply a one-zone leptonic model with a three-parameter log-parabola electron energy distribution to fit the Swift and NuSTAR X-ray data, as well as simultaneous optical and Fermi-LAT gamma-ray data. The Markov chain Monte Carlo technique is used to search the high-dimensional parameter space and evaluate the uncertainties on model parameters. We show that the two spectra can be successfully fitted in near-equipartition conditions, defined by the ratio of the energy density of relativistic electrons to magnetic field ζe being close to unity. In both spectra, the observed X-rays are dominated by synchrotron self-Compton photons, and the observed gamma-rays are dominated by Compton scattering of external infrared photons from a surrounding dusty torus. Model parameters are well constrained. From the low state to the high state, both the curvature of the log-parabola width parameter and the synchrotron peak frequency significantly increase. The derived magnetic fields in the two states are nearly identical (∼1 G), but the Doppler factor in the high state is larger than that in the low state (∼28 versus ∼18). We derive that the gamma-ray emission site takes place outside the broad-line region, at ≳0.1 pc from the black hole, but within the dusty torus. Implications for 3C 279 as a source of high-energy cosmic rays are discussed.
Use of Blood Tests to Predict Upper Gastrointestinal Lesions in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Objective Anemia and iron deficiency are common complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, information about the diagnostic indicators of bleeding-related upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract lesions is sparse and few studies have investigated anemic upper GI tract lesions. Methods We included 165 anemic patients with non–dialysis-dependent CKD stages 3 to 5 (44 patients at stage 3, 52 patients at stage 4, and 69 patients at stage 5). Transferrin saturation (TSAT), serum ferritin, mean corpuscular volume, and corrected reticulocyte count data were collected to evaluate their diagnostic use for bleeding-related upper GI tract lesions, which were identified by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Results Bleeding-related GI tract lesions were found in 57 patients (34.5%). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve used to predict bleeding-related lesions was 0.63 for TSAT (P = 0.007), and the best cutoff value was 19.7% (sensitivity, 0.53; specificity, 0.76). The combination of cutoffs TSAT less than 20% or serum ferritin less than 100 ng/mL produced a 17% increment in sensitivity compared with that of TSAT less than 20% alone. The corrected reticulocyte levels and mean corpuscular volume had no significant diagnostic use. In patients with CKD stage 5, the sensitivity of TSAT or its combination with serum ferritin less than 100 ng/mL was significantly lower than in patients with CKD stage 3 (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Transferrin saturation is a significant predictor of anemic lesions in the upper GI tract, and serum ferritin can increase the sensitivity of TSAT. However, these indicators should be used with caution in patients with CKD stage 5 because their sensitivity is poor in this context.
A Brief Scale for Measuring Helping Activities in Recovery: The Brief Helper Therapy Scale

Background: Helping others is evident in the philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous, and is emphasized in formal treatment. However, helping among recovering alcoholics has not been studied, in part because of a lack of helping measures. Methods: This study developed a Brief Helper Therapy Scale to capture helping among individuals with varying lengths of recovery. The 26-item long version of the Helper Therapy Scale was developed from qualitative interviews (n = 21) and item analysis of responses from 200 recovering alcoholics with differing lengths of recovery. Three subscales assessed Recovery, Life, and Community Helping. This brief version was created using an iterative process of item analysis designed to yield good internal consistency and representation of different types of helping. Helping was assessed as a continuous measure of how much time had been spent on each activity in the past week. Results: The resulting 9-item Brief Helper Therapy Scale demonstrated strong internal consistency (alpha = 0.83), but did not correlate well with psychological and spirituality measures used to assess construct validity. The Brief Helper Therapy Scale can be completed in about 5 minutes. Those in early recovery reported move involvement in recovery helping, with service in AA a notable exception. Those with the longest recovery focused more on community helping. Conclusions: Findings suggest that persons more stable in recovery move beyond a singular focus on recovery helping and demonstrate that people in recovery do contribute to society—potentially dispelling some of the stigma associated with alcoholism.
A subgroup of Tourette's patients overexpress specific natural killer cell genes in blood: A preliminary report

Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a heritable, neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics. As no single gene or region has emerged from standard linkage approaches, TS may result from several as‐yet‐unidentified genetic factors, and may also occur due to infection‐triggered, autoimmune processes. Etiological or pathogenic differences might result in clinically indistinguishable TS subgroups. We have previously used whole genome human oligonucleotide microarrays in an attempt to identify patterns of gene expression in blood linked with TS. In this proof‐of‐principle study, we applied Principal Components Analysis to a previously collected set of 16 familial TS and 16 control blood samples to identify subgroups. Fourteen genes, primarily Natural Killer Cell (NK) genes, discriminated between TS and all controls. Granzyme B and NKG7 were confirmed using RT‐PCR. Five probesets (four genes) reside in chromosomal regions previously linked to familial TS or obsessive‐compulsive disorder. Using the 14 genes, a Principal Components Analysis as well as a cluster analysis identified a TS subgroup (n = 10/16) that overexpressed the NK genes. 7/10 subjects within this subgroup were diagnosed with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), suggesting that this expression profile might be associated with TS and co‐morbid ADHD. Principal Components Analysis of gene expression in blood may be useful for identifying subgroups of other complex neurodevelopmental diseases, and the gene expression profile identified in this study may provide a biomarker for at least one subgroup of heritable TS. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Silencing RIF1 decreases cell growth, migration and increases cisplatin sensitivity of human cervical cancer cells

Replication timing regulatory factor 1 (RIF1) plays an important role in DNA replication regulation, stem cell pluripotency and DNA repair pathway. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms and physiological significance of RIF1 in cancer and chemotherapy efficacy. In this study, we found that RIF1 is upregulated in cervical cancer tissues compared with normal tissues both at mRNA and protein levels through online databases. RIF1 knockdown reduced cervical cancer cell growth, colony formation, migration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that RIF1 knockdown induced apoptosis and G2 cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, RIF1 knockdown increased cisplatin sensitivity, cisplatin-induced G2/M phase arrest, apoptosis and led to defects in DNA repair in a concentration-dependent manner. In terms of mechanism research, increased CDKN1A expression and Bax/Bcl-2/caspase-3 signaling pathway might be involved in the G2/M phase arrest and increased apoptosis in RIF1-silenced cervical cancer cells. Thus, these findings indicate that RIF1 knockdown prior to chemotherapy may be a potential effective therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer.
Wire-sizing optimization with inductance consideration using transmission-line model

Because of the inaccuracy of the Elmore delay model and its inability to handle inductance, it is necessary to use a more accurate delay model in wire-sizing optimization. This paper presents continuous wire-sizing optimization by using a three pole based delay model. Our work is focused on exponential wire shape f(x)=ae/sup -bx/, i.e, we determine a and b such that either delay or area is minimized. Fringing capacitance and inductance, which have been neglected in previous work on wire sizing, are taken into consideration in the delay model. Expressions involved in calculating all three poles are derived with the help of the Picard-Carson method. Since these expressions are all analytical, the delay calculation is very efficient. In our experiments, the delay model is found to be far more accurate than the Elmore delay model. We also observe that in determining the optimal shape that minimizes delay, the Elmore delay model performs as well as our delay model. However, in determining the optimal shape that minimizes area subject to a delay bound, the Elmore delay model performs much worse than our delay model.
Repercussions of El Niño: drought causes extinction and the breakdown of mutualism in Borneo

Figs (Ficus spp.) and their species–specific pollinators, the fig wasps (Agaonidae), have coevolved one of the most intricate interactions found in nature, in which the fig wasps, in return for pollination services, raise their offspring in the fig inflorescence. Fig wasps, however, have very short adult lives and hence are dependent on the near–continuous production of inflorescences to maintain their populations. From January to March 1998 northern Borneo suffered a very severe drought linked to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation event of 1997–1998. This caused a substantial break in the production of inflorescences on dioecious figs and led to the local extinction of their pollinators at Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. Most pollinators had not recolonized six months after the drought and, given the high level of endemism and wide extent of the drought, some species may be totally extinct. Cascading effects on vertebrate seed dispersers, for which figs are often regarded as keystone resources, and the tree species dependent on their services are also likely. This has considerable implications for the maintenance of biodiversity under a scenario of climate change and greater climatic extremes.
Complications and results of long adult deformity fusions down to l4, l5, and the sacrum.

STUDY DESIGN This is a consecutive study of patients having undergone surgical treatment of adult lumbar scoliosis. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 13 years (average 5 years). OBJECTIVES To assess the complications and outcomes of patients with long fusions to L4 (n=23), L5 (n=21), or the sacrum (n=15) and determine if a "deeply seated" L5 segment is protective. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Few studies assess outcomes and complications in adults fused from the thoracic spine to L4, L5, or the sacrum with minimum 2-year follow-up. METHODS Fifty-eight patients (59 cases; average age 43 years; range 21 to 60) with minimum 2-year follow-up were analyzed for subsequent spinal degeneration and complications. Outcomes were assessed from questionnaires administered at latest follow-up. RESULTS Sixteen percent of cases (7 of 44) fused short of the sacrum displayed subsequent postoperative distal spinal degeneration, although only three patients were symptomatic. Compared with the group with no subsequent degeneration, this group had a lower improvement in function and pain relief. Other complications for patients fused short of the sacrum included two cases with crosslink breakage, one with neurologic deficit, three with pseudarthroses, one with hook pullout, and one with L5 screw pullout. For cases fused to the sacrum, two cases with deep wound infections and one with loose iliac screw requiring removal were observed. Because two of four cases fused to L5 with subsequent degeneration at L5-S1 were observed to have "deeply seated" L5 segments and two of the four did not, the authors could conclude only that "deep seating" of L5 is not absolute protection. CONCLUSIONS Fusions short of the sacrum did not have predictable long-term results. Those fused short of the sacrum who developed distal spinal degeneration had worse outcomes. Patients fused to the sacrum did not have a higher complication rate. A "deeply seated" L5 segment does not necessarily protect the L5-S1 disc.
Skates and rays (Elasmobranchii, Batomorphii) from the Eocene La Meseta and Submeseta formations, Seymour Island, Antarctica

Abstract Eocene deposits of the famous La Meseta Formation of Seymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula, yielded the most diverse Paleogene fossil elasmobranch association of the Southern Hemisphere. In this assemblage, sharks clearly dominate the fauna, whereas batoids are very rare components. Herein, we describe two new taxa of cold water tolerant skates, Marambioraja leiostemma gen. et sp. nov., and Mesetaraja maleficapelli gen. et sp. nov., two new species of the genus Raja, Raja amphitrita sp. nov. and Raja manitaria sp. nov., as well as remains of warm water adapted myliobatiforms. It is, however, not possible to unambiguously assign these remains either to Myliobatidae or Rhinopteridae, or to any specific genus. Previously reported remains of Raja/Bathyraja sp. are assigned to the new described species Raja manitaria sp. nov. The biogeographic distribution of extant and extinct rays and skates clearly shows that both groups are more widely distributed today than in the past, and additionally seem to have been more diverse in the Northern than the Southern Hemisphere. The occurrence, albeit rare of isolated teeth of skates (Rajidae) and rays (Myliobatidae) in the La Meseta Formation representes a minimum age constraint for their first appearance in the Southern Ocean. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E507D86C-FFEC-4047-A337-AE77606BB1A6
Clinical effects of laser photocoagulation in 160 cases of retinopathy of prematurity

Objective: This study aimed to observe the clinical effects of laser photocoagulation in treating retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and to explore the influence of anesthesia on the disease prognosis. Methods: The study involved the retrospective analysis of 312 eyes treated with laser photocoagulation. The prognosis of ROP was observed, and its relationships with such factors as the gestational age, birth weight, age of onset, gestational age when firstly performed the laser photocoagulation correction (FPLPC), lesion site, additional lesions, photocoagulation number and anesthetic method used were analyzed. Results: The lesions present in 293 of the eyes completely resolved, while those of the remaining 19 eyes progressed (lesion regression and progression groups, respectively). The comparison of the gestational age, birth weight, age of onset, and FPLPC-gestational age between the two groups showed no statistically significant differences (t = 1.461, 0.088, 1.571, and 1.576, respectively; P > 0.05); the comparison of the anesthetic method used and the number of additional lesions too showed no significant differences between the groups (χ2 = 0.3285 and 0.203, respectively; P > 0.05). The differences in the presence of lesions in region I and the photocoagulation numbers were statistically significant between the two groups (χ2 = 18.08, P < 0.05; t = 3.522, P < 0.05, respectively). The FPLPC-gestational age and the photocoagulation numbers were correlated with the lesion progression after photocoagulation. Logistic regression analysis revealed that APROP was associated with the progress of the photocoagulation-induced postoperative pathological changes (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Laser photocoagulation is an effective treatment modality for ROP. Employing different anesthetic methods does not significantly affect the post-photocoagulation prognosis of ROP.
[Prevalence of congenital heart disease in 44,985 newborns in Colombia].

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of congenital heart defects in Colombia using the methodology of the Latin-American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECLAMC, for its initials in Spanish) and to make an epidemiological description of the study population. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective case-control study nested to a hospital-based cohort included 44,985 infants born from June 1, 2001 to April 30, 2005 in 11 Colombian hospitals. RESULTS Fifty-five cases were reported (1.2 per 1,000); 36 (65.5%) corresponded to severe defects and 18 (32.7%) had associated extracardiac malformations. The following risk factors were identified: maternal age > or = 40 years, paternal age > or = 30 years, gestational age < or = 37 weeks, birth weight < or = 3,000 g and > or = 3 pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS This study shows a similar prevalence of congenital heart disease to that found in Spain, Mexico, and South America. Risk factors identified emphasize the need for public health policies in a developing country undergoing an epidemiological transition.
Alkaline phosphatase localization and spheroplast formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells grown in the presence of low levels of inorganic phosphate contain an inducible alkaline phosphatase system. The enzyme has been localized by electron microscopic techniques in the region between the cytoplasmic membrane and the tripartite layer of the cell wall, i.e. the periplasmic space. No deposits of lead salts are observed upon examination of either uninduced cells or cells in which the enzyme has been completely removed by 0.2 M magnesium washing. Samples of cells which were treated with glutaraldehyde before enzyme localization studies show cell wall deposition of lead salts which could give rise to the erroneous conclusion that the alkaline phosphatase was located in the tripartite layer. Cytochemical and biochemical studies are presented which show that discontinuities within the cell wall are insufficient to account for the release of this periplasmic enzyme and that dissociation by a divalent metal, increased pH, or both is required. As a consequence of this study .
Dispersion of Opinion and Stock Returns: Evidence from Index Fund Investors

We address the issue of how heterogeneity of trade among investors affects stock returns. We develop a model of the dispersion of opinion among investors that has implications for asset pricing. We test the relationship between dispersion of investor opinion and stock returns using a two-year panel of more than 91 thousand individual accounts in a S&P 500 index fund. We show that dispersion of opinion, proxied by the heterogeneity of trade among investor classes, explains part of the returns not accounted for by standard asset pricing factors. We show that the explanatory power of the dispersion of opinion increases at the very time when standard pricing models based on standard asset pricing factors fare worse.
Estimation of body fat in normal and obese mice

1. Lee Index (weight (g0.33)÷ nasoanal length (mm)), density, body water and proportional weight of the gonadal fat pad were tested as estimates of body fat in a normal population of mice and a population which included obese mice. 2. In a normal population only body water and fat-pad weight correlated significantly with body fat. 3. In a population of normal and obese mice all four indices correlated significantly with body fat. 4. Lee Index had little advantage over weight: length as an estimate of body fat, and density did not correlate well enough to be used as a method of estimation. 5. Proportional weight of the gonadal fat pad is recommended as a simple reliable estimate of body fat in normal or obese mice.