Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Japan; The Story Of A Nation

This text chronicles the evolution of premodern (early A.D. to 1850), modern (1850-1945), and postwar (1945-1989) Japanese civilization from imperial rule through the death of Emperor Hirohito. Professor Reischauer, a former U.S. ambassador to Japan, explores the roots and development of the military dictatorship that brought Japan into World War II, the dubious leadership of its emperor, and the effects of the postwar American occupation.
Alveolar ridge and sinus augmentation utilizing platelet-rich plasma in combination with freeze-dried bone allograft: case series.

BACKGROUND Alveolar bone regeneration is frequently necessary prior to placement of implants. Efforts to improve wound healing have focused on factors that may enhance bone formation following guided bone regeneration (GBR) techniques alone or in combination with bone replacement graft materials. Recent reports suggest that platelet-rich plasma (PRP), presumably high in levels of peptide growth factors, may enhance the formation of new bone when used in combination with autogenous graft material. METHODS In this report, the clinical and radiographic results are presented on 15 consecutively treated patients using autologous PRP in combination with freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA) for sinus elevation and/or ridge augmentation. FDBA and PRP (0.5 g/2cc PRP) were mixed and placed as a composite graft material. A gel formed by mixing autologous thrombin-rich plasma with PRP (1:4 ratio) was used to cover the graft material. Core biopsies of grafted areas were obtained in several patients as part of implant site preparation and were evaluated histologically to determine site maturation. RESULTS Of 36 implant fixtures, 32 (89%) were considered clinically successful demonstrating complete bone coverage of the implant, no mobility, and a normal radiographic appearance at the time of re-entry and 12 months post-implant exposure. Four implants were removed due to mobility at the time of surgical exposure. Histologic evaluation of biopsy specimens revealed numerous areas of osteoid and bone formation around FDBA particles, with no evidence of inflammatory cell infiltrate. CONCLUSIONS These clinical and histological findings suggest that ridge augmentation and sinus grafting with FDBA in combination with PRP provide a viable therapeutic alternative for implant placements. Future studies are necessary to determine whether PRP enhances new bone formation or maturation with bone replacement allografts.
Towards completion of the CCSDS space data link security protocol

As part of an ongoing effort in the area of space mission security, the Consultative Committee of Space Data Systems (CCSDS) created a working group to develop a Security protocol at the Data Link layer for Telecommand and Telemetry communications. While ad-hoc security implementations have been developed by several CCSDS Member Agencies, there is a recognition that a commonly engineered security protocol with minimal logical and physical integration impact on CCSDS space data link protocols and compatible with Space Link Extension (SLE) protocols would be very beneficial not only for CCSDS Member Agencies but also for commercial space missions and space data handling equipment suppliers. The results of this CCSDS working group have matured and resulted in the production of the first CCSDS Space Data Link Security (SDLS) protocol specification. This protocol provides Security Services like Authentication, Encryption and Authenticated Encryption to the existing CCSDS family of Space Data Link (SDL) protocols: Telecommand (TC), Telemetry (TM) and Advanced Orbiting Systems (AOS). Those CCSDS SDL protocols are used extensively for Telecommand as well as for both Housekeeping and Payload Telemetry space links by the entire civil space community. This paper will describe the protocol requirements, the key drivers, the protocol design description and its key concepts, the current status and open points, and the follow-on work including anticipated protocol extensions as well as the conclusions.
Biological functions and clinical implications of oestrogen receptors alfa and beta in epithelial tissues

For the past 10 years it is known that oestrogen functions through the activation of two oestrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ). To the great surprise of endocrinologists, ERβ was found to be widely distributed in tissues throughout the body including tissues previously considered as ‘oestrogen insensitive’. The epithelium of the ventral prostate and lung as well as ovarian granulosa cells are ERα‐negative but ERβ‐positive and in these tissues ERβ seems to be involved in important physiological processes, like differentiation, extracellular matrix organization and stromal–epithelial communication. In tissues where both ERs are expressed, the two receptors seem to counteract each other. In the uterus, mammary gland and immune system, ERα promotes proliferation whereas ERβ has pro‐apoptotic and pro‐differentiating functions. The challenge of the future will be to develop specific agonists, which can selectively activate/inactivate either ERα or ERβ. These pharmaceuticals are likely to be of clinical importance in the prevention or treatment of various diseases.
A Study on Factors Affecting Turnover Intention of Hotel Empolyees

This study used linear structural modeling to explore the factors affecting the turnover intention of hotel employees in Taiwan. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed to hotel employees. Among these, 350 were valid samples, a valid return rate of 87.50%. The empirical results showed that (1) more harmonious coworker relationships between hotel employees and a higher level of satisfaction regarding their work environment have a significantly positive effect on job satisfaction; (2) a higher level of organizational commitment among hotel employees has a significantly negative effect on turnover intention; (3) the direct effect of employee job satisfaction and salary level on turnover intention has not reached a significant level. Nevertheless, the two factors have indirect negative effects on turnover intention.
The U11-48K Protein Contacts the 5′ Splice Site of U12-Type Introns and the U11-59K Protein

ABSTRACT Little is currently known about proteins that make contact with the pre-mRNA in the U12-dependent spliceosome and thereby contribute to intron recognition. Using site-specific cross-linking, we detected an interaction between the U11-48K protein and U12-type 5′ splice sites (5′ss). This interaction did not require branch point recognition and was sensitive to 5′ss mutations, suggesting that 48K interacts with the 5′ss during the first steps of prespliceosome assembly in a sequence-dependent manner. RNA interference-induced knockdown of 48K in HeLa cells led to reduced cell growth and the inhibition of U12-type splicing, as well as the activation of cryptic, U2-type splice sites, suggesting that 48K plays a critical role in U12-type intron recognition. 48K knockdown also led to reduced levels of U11/U12 di-snRNP, indicating that 48K contributes to the stability and/or formation of this complex. In addition to making contact with the 5′ss, 48K interacts with the U11-59K protein, a protein at the interface of the U11/U12 di-snRNP. These studies provide important insights into the protein-mediated recognition of the U12-type 5′ss, as well as functionally important interactions within the U11/U12 di-snRNP.
FAMILY‐LEVEL COVARIATION BETWEEN PARASITE RESISTANCE AND MATING SYSTEM IN A HERMAPHRODITIC FRESHWATER SNAIL

Abstract Genetic compatibility, nonspecific defenses, and environmental effects determine parasite resistance. Host mating system (selfing vs. outcrossing) should be important for parasite resistance because it determines the segregation of alleles at the resistance loci and because inbreeding depression may hamper immune defenses. Individuals of a mixed mating hermaphroditic freshwater snail, Lymnaea ovata, are commonly infected by a digenetic trematode parasite, Echinoparyphium recurvatum. We examined covariation between quantitative resistance to novel parasites and mating system by exposing snail families from four populations that differed by their inbreeding coefficients. We found that resistance was unrelated to inbreeding coefficient of the population, suggesting that the more inbred populations did not carry higher susceptibility load than the less inbred populations. Most of the variation in resistance was expressed among the families within the populations. In the population with the lowest inbreeding coefficient, resistance increased with outcrossing rate of the family, as predicted if selfing had led to inbreeding depression. In the other three populations with higher inbreeding coefficients, resistance was unrelated to outcrossing rate. The results suggest that in populations with higher inbreeding some of the genetic load has been purged, uncoupling the predicted relationship between outcrossing rate and resistance. Snail families also displayed crossing reaction norms for resistance when tested in two environments that presented low and high immune challenge, suggesting that genotype‐by‐environment interactions are important for parasite resistance.
Haematology of clinically normal and sick captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

A retrospective analysis of haematological values from clinically normal captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) showed that the red cell count, haemoglobin level, packed cell volume and lymphocyte count were higher and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and eosinophil count were lower in juveniles than in adults. Newborn animals were anaemic compared with juveniles and adults and had high reticulocyte counts. The values from healthy reindeer were used to identify abnormal haematological variations in a number of sick animals. It was shown that reindeer exhibit similar haemopathological responses to those of other artiodactyla, with increases in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and fibrinogen level being of particular diagnostic significance. Eosinophilia was the only abnormal haematological finding in individuals with subclinical infections of intestinal parasites.
The pharmacogenetics of β-adrenergic receptor antagonists in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure

Introduction: β-Blockers have an important therapeutic role throughout the cardiovascular continuum. However, there is considerable variation in response to these drugs, which may be related to genetic influences on their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects. Areas covered: This review focuses on genetic variations in the drug metabolizing enzymes which influence the pharmacokinetics and potentially the pharmacodynamics of some β-blockers. It also reviews the polymorphisms in the adrenergic receptors (ARs) and their related pathways which are likely to influence the responses to β-blockers. Expert opinion: The CYP2D6 genotypes influence the pharmacokinetics of some β-blockers but the effects on β-blocker responses have been inconsistent and there is currently no general role for CYP2D6 genotyping prior to choosing a particular β-blocker or dose. The common polymorphisms producing changes in the β1-ARs, and their signaling pathways, have been associated with clinical outcomes in several studies in hypertension and heart failure. Treatment with β-blockers, especially with higher doses, appears to have greater benefits in patients with the genetic forms of the β1-ARs which are more responsive to both agonists and antagonists. However, current data are not sufficiently consistent to support genotyping for these polymorphisms before selecting or initiating β-blocker treatment and further study results are needed to clarify the situation.
Hydrocephalus status in spina bifida: an evaluation of variations in neuropsychological outcomes.

OBJECT The effect of hydrocephalus status on neuropsychological outcomes in children with spina bifida (SB) has not been carefully evaluated. The authors hypothesized a stepwise progression of outcomes related to hydrocephalus status (shunt-treated, arrested, or no hydrocephalus) and that motor, spatial, and executive function tasks would be more sensitive to hydrocephalus status than vocabulary and reading tasks. METHODS Two hundred eight children (mean age 11.2 years) with SB were grouped according to hydrocephalus status: shunt-treated hydrocephalus (166 children), arrested hydrocephalus (18 children), and no hydrocephalus (24 children). Sixty-one typically developing children were included as a control group (mean age 12.05 years). All children were tested across neuropsychological content domains, including verbal and nonverbal IQ, reading and mathematical achievement, explicit memory, visuospatial function, executive function, and motor skills. RESULTS There was a stepwise progression of outcomes. Averaging across tasks, performance scores of children with SB and no hydrocephalus (mean standard score 92.60) were higher than those of children with SB and arrested hydrocephalus (mean standard score 86.86), and scores of children in the latter group were higher than those of children with SB and shunt-treated hydrocephalus (mean standard score 82.30). All 3 groups scored lower than the control group (mean standard score 105.94). Fine motor tasks best differentiated the arrested-hydrocephalus and shunt-treated groups. Verbal and executive function tasks, often associated with socioeconomic status, best differentiated the group of children with SB and no hydrocephalus from the control group. CONCLUSIONS With the exception of fine motor skills and small differences in memory and spatial domains, children with SB and arrested or shunt-treated hydrocephalus have similar neuropsychological profiles. Performance of all 3 groups of children with SB was below that of the control group, which also reflects the lower socioeconomic status of the children with SB.
Kinetics of chlamydial antigen processing and presentation to T cells by paraformaldehyde-fixed murine bone marrow-derived macrophages

Macrophages are potential candidates for antigen presentation to chlamydial-specific CD4+ T cells. We have studied the kinetics of chlamydial antigen processing and presentation by using paraformaldehyde-fixed bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) and splenic T cells isolated from chlamydia-infected mice. BMDM were inoculated with different multiplicities of heat-killed chlamydial elementary bodies, and at different times postingestion, the macrophages were fixed with paraformaldehyde and used as antigen-presenting cells in T-cell proliferation assays. T-cell proliferative responses were shown to be dependent on the chlamydial inoculum size, with a multiplicity of 10 chlamydiae per macrophage producing optimum T-cell proliferation. Temporal experiments showed that peak T-cell proliferative responses occurred between 4 and 12 h postingestion of chlamydiae by BMDM. T cells proliferated strongly to antigen when presented by H-2-matched BMDM but not when presented by H-2-disparate BMDM, demonstrating that T-cell recognition of processed chlamydial antigen was major histocompatibility complex restricted. BMDM inoculated with 10 chlamydiae per cell and fixed at 8 h postinoculation were shown to be as stimulatory to T cells as conventional splenic antigen-presenting cells. Because large numbers of BMDM can be propagated in vitro, and experimental conditions that provide optimum presentation of processed chlamydial antigen to chlamydia-specific CD4+ T cells can be defined, BMDM may be a potentially useful source for the isolation of naturally processed parasite antigen from major histocompatibility complex class II molecules.
Breast cancer clinicopathological presentation, gravity and challenges in Eritrea, East Africa: management practice in a resource-poor setting.

BACKGROUND In Africa, breast cancer closely compares with cervical cancer as the most common malignancy affecting women and the incidence rates appear to be rising. Early detection of breast cancer is a key strategy for a good treatment outcome. However, there is no established protocol or guideline for management of breast cancer in Eritrea, East Africa. OBJECTIVE To assess the clinicopathological presentation, gravity and management challenges presented in breast cancer treatment in Eritrea. Methods. Our investigation was a retrospective, descriptive study to assess the clinical features and severity of breast cancer at time of presentation. We reviewed the medical records of all patients who presented with breast malignancies over the 2-year period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2008. RESULTS Eighty-two patients ranging in age from 26 - 80 years (mean 48 years) were included in the study. Of these 51% were premenopausal women; 61% of the patients presented with breast mass only and the remainder with manifestations of local (mass plus discharge, breast pain or breast ulceration) or distant metastatic disease. More than 60% of the patients presented after >2 years following onset of symptoms. Two-thirds of patients had late stage (III or IV) disease. All except one case was managed surgically. CONCLUSION Most cases presented at younger age and advanced stage. These findings call for strengthening health education to promote early health-seeking behaviour and advocacy for the introduction of national screening, implementation of a management protocol and establishment of a radio-chemotherapy centre.
Serum immunoglobulin free light chain correlates with tumor burden markers in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

The serum IgM level has been utilised as a marker of tumor progression and to assess response to therapy in patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM). However, there are many limitations to the IgM protein level. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of known tumor burden markers and prognostic factors with serum free light chain (sFLC) in 98 patients with WM. We demonstrated that sFLC measurement accurately differentiated IgM-MGUS compared with WM reflecting a measurement of tumor burden. In univariate and multivariate analysis, median sFLC at the cut-off at 60 mg/L was higher for WM patients with low hemoglobin and high β2M, when we applied the WM-IPSS cut-offs, but showed no association with IgM level. This study demonstrates that sFLC is a new marker in WM disease. Further analysis is required to prospectively study the role of sFLC in monitoring response to therapy and as a prognostic marker in WM patients.
Pathogenic T-Cell Responses in Patients With Autoimmune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) is a bleeding disorder in which autoantibodies are directed against an individual's own platelets, leading to enhanced clearance through Fc receptor (R)-mediated phagocytosis by macrophages residing in the reticuloendothelial system, particularly in the spleen. This review surveys the recent current literature and updates our understanding of the cell-mediated immunology of AITP. It will focus on the relationship between T-cell reactivities and cytokine profiles in patients with AITP. Understanding these cellular immune aspects of AITP is vital for developing antigen-specific immunotherapies to treat the disease.
Los informes de responsabilidad social empresarial: su evolución y tendencias en el contexto internacional y colombiano

Este documento se inscribe en los estudios interdisciplinarios sobre responsabilidad social empresarial. La investigacion tuvo como objetivo la construccion de un marco analitico para identificar, caracterizar y evaluar la evolucion de los informes de responsabilidad social. Dos articulos anteceden el presente paper en la presentacion de los avances de esta investigacion. La pregunta central del documento es . como ha evolucionado la produccion de informes de responsabilidad social empresarial en el entorno internacional y en Colombia? Retomamos las conclusiones y argumentos centrales del marco analitico desarrollado en los trabajos previos y nos concentramos en la presentacion e interpretacion de la evolucion y tendencias de los informes de responsabilidad social empresarial desde la aparicion de la Global Reporting Initiative, GRI, en 1997, hasta los informes reportados en 2010. La evolucion y las tendencias de los reportes muestran que la informacion social y medioambiental bajo el enfoque GRI, ha sido mayoritariamente capturada por la logica financiera, al parecer jugando un rol mas de legitimacion que de transformacion (O'Dwyer, 2003; O'Dwyer, Owen & Unerman, 2011).
Competence‐induced type VI secretion might foster intestinal colonization by Vibrio cholerae

The human pathogen Vibrio cholerae exhibits two distinct lifestyles: one in the aquatic environment where it often associates with chitinous surfaces and the other as the causative agent of the disease cholera. While much of the research on V. cholerae has focused on the host‐pathogen interaction, knowledge about the environmental lifestyle of the pathogen remains limited. We recently showed that the polymer chitin, which is extremely abundant in aquatic environments, induces natural competence as a mode of horizontal gene transfer and that this competence regulon also includes the type VI secretion system (T6SS), a molecular killing device. Here, I discuss the putative consequences that chitin‐induced T6SS activation could have on intestinal colonization and how the transmission route might influence disease outcome. Moreover, I propose that common infant animal models for cholera might not sufficiently take into account T6SS‐mediated interbacterial warfare between V. cholerae and the intestinal microbiota.
Factors affecting community participation in the CDTI program in Morogoro, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND Up to 4 million people in Tanzania are at risk for the parasitic disease onchocerciasis. A treatment program, Community-Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI), has made significant gains in prevention and treatment. Understanding factors affecting participation could help boost treatment coverage and sustain gains made in controlling onchocerciasis in endemic areas. PURPOSE To explore community-perceived factors related to participation in and sustainability of the CDTI program in southwest Tanzania. METHODS Multilevel triangulation design using surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and semistructured interviews to collect data in two villages in the Morogoro Rural District of Tanzania. In total, 456 villagers participated in the survey and 42 in FDGs. Five community-directed distributors (CDDs) and three community health workers were interviewed. FINDINGS High levels of awareness of onchocerciasis (90%) and methods of prevention and treatment (95%) were reported. Over 75% of participants knew how ivermectin was distributed and 74% have taken the drug. Over 90% of villagers knew that distribution of the drug was for treatment and prevention. Only 43% knew the cause of onchocerciasis. Through FGDs, villagers reported barriers to participation, including lack of comprehensive understanding of the disease, fears of medication, distrust of the method determining dose, lack of health education materials, insufficient CDD-resident communication, and inflexible drug distribution mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS Sustaining programs without supporting growth of CDDs and reinforcing education of communities could lead to a decrease in treatment and an increase in the public health threat. This research uncovered a need for more effective community education and sensitization. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Understanding barriers to participation in community-based programs can assist public health and community health nurses and key stakeholders including Ministries of Health and local and regional health systems in the development of education and support materials to enhance health literacy and encourage program participation.