Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Text-Based and Graphics-Based Software Tools on Planning and Organizing of Stories

This article describes a research study comparing the effects of two computer-based writing tools on the story-writing skills of fourth-through eighth-grade students with language-related learning disabilities. The first tool, the prompted writing feature of FrEdWriter (Rogers, 1985), allowed students to answer story grammar questions, then type stories using those responses as the plan; the second tool, Once Upon a Time (Urban, Rushing, & Star, 1990), allowed students to create graphic scenes, then type stories about those scenes. Nine students attended a series of afterschool writing labs twice weekly for 11 weeks, using each tool for half of the writing sessions. Group results did not clearly favor either tool; however, individual differences suggested that use of planning features should be linked to student needs. Students who had less internal organizational ability benefited from the computer-presented story grammar prompts and wrote less mature stories when using the graphics-based tool. Students with relatively strong organizational skills wrote more mature stories with the graphics-based tool.
Increased HIF-1α expression correlates with cell proliferation and vascular markers CD31 and VEGF-A in uveal melanoma.

PURPOSE Overexpression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1α) has been found in several cancers and is thought to correlate with aggressive disease. The purpose of our study was to investigate the influence of HIF-1α on clinical outcome in uveal melanoma (UM) along with proliferative (MIB-1) and vascular (CD31, VEGF-A) markers. METHODS A retrospective analysis was carried out on UM tumors from 88 patients. HIF-1α, MIB-1, CD31, and VEGF-A expression, as well as necrosis, were assessed by immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin/eosin on paraffin-embedded UM tumor sections by using a tissue microarray. The bivariate analysis involving HIF-1α expression and clinicopathologic covariates was performed by using the χ(2) test. The association of clinicopathologic covariates and HIF-1α expression with patient survival was evaluated by using the Kaplan-Meier approach and Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis. RESULTS Among our study population, 56 patients (63.6%) had high levels of HIF-1α expression. High expression of HIF-1α was associated with high expression of MIB-1 (P = 0.04), CD31 (P = 0.03), and VEGF-A (P < 0.0001), as well as necrosis (P = 0.04). However, high HIF-1α expression was not correlated with cell type, largest macroscopic tumor dimension or thickness, anterior margin, pigmentation, or mitotic figures. Patients with high HIF-1α expression did not show a reduced survival when compared to patients with low HIF-1α expression (P = 0.92). Finally, HIF-1α expression was not increased after irradiation. CONCLUSIONS An increase in HIF-1α expression was significantly associated with proliferative (MIB-1) and vascular (CD31 and VEGF-A) markers, as well as necrosis, in UM. However, there was no correlation between high HIF-1α expression and patient survival.
Expression of a non‐functional p53 affects the sensitivity of cancer cells to gemcitabine

Gemcitabine is a relatively new agent with promising activity in solid tumors. Few data are available regarding mechanisms of resistance to gemcitabine downstream from the drug‐target interaction. The present study was performed to gain insight into the role of p53 status on the cytotoxicity of gemcitabine on cancer cells. Drug sensitivity, drug metabolism, cell kinetics and drug‐induced apoptosis were compared in 2 lines derived from the mammary adenocarcinoma MCF‐7: the wildtype p53 (wt‐p53) containing MN‐1 cell line and, the MDD2 line containing a dominant negative variant of the p53 protein (mut‐p53). The MDD2 cell line was significantly more resistant to gemcitabine cytotoxicity than the MN‐1 cell line. The resistant phenotype could not be attributed to a defective gemcitabine activation/degradation pathway or altered levels of expression of intracellular targets. Although both cell lines exhibited p53 accumulation, MN‐1 but not MDD2 cells, displayed p21WAF1 induction after exposure to gemcitabine. Gemcitabine induced an S‐phase arrest in both cell lines. A more pronounced block in G1 phase, however, was observed in MN1 cells. Exposure to gemcitabine induced a higher degree of apoptosis in MN‐1 than in MDD2 cells. This corresponded with suppression of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐X/L expression in wt‐p53 cells exposed to gemcitabine whereas Bcl‐2 levels remained stable and Bcl‐X/L levels increased in mut‐p53 cells exposed to gemcitabine. We conclude that the p53 status of cancer cells influences their sensitivity to gemcitabine cytotoxicity. Our evidence suggests that loss of p53 function leads to loss of cell cycle control and alterations in the apoptotic cascade, conferring resistance to gemcitabine in cancer cell lines displaying a mut‐p53. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mutation analysis of TBX22 reveals new mutation in Tunisian CPX family

Cleft palate with ankyloglossia (CPX; OMIM 303400) is inherited as a Mendelian semidominant X-Linked disorder. Linkage studies resulted in mapping CPX to Xq13-q 21-31 region. TBX22 was identified as causing CPX. We report a new mutation in a Tunisian family and the first Arab family with X-Linked cleft palate and ankyloglossia. The family includes 6 affected members, 4 males and 2 females. Linkage study was performed using 9 microsatellite markers surrounding the CPX locus with a maximum lod score 1.81 at &thgr;=0 with several markers. Sequence analysis of TBX22 gene revealed a novel change c.358C>T in exon 3 (R120W) located in the T-BOX domain; this change was present in all affected members and none of the 100 controls. A second modification in exon 4 (c.559G>A) predicted to result in a nonconservative substitution (E187 K) was present in the affected members but also in 2 controls, suggesting a polymorphism which functional role cannot be excluded without further study.
Explorer Disruption of DNA repair in cancer cells by ubiquitination of a destabilising dimerization domain of nucleotide excision repair protein ERCC 1

DNA repair pathways present in all cells serve to preserve genome stability, but in cancer cells they also act reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy. The endonuclease ERCC1-XPF has an important role in the repair of DNA damage caused by a variety of chemotherapeutic agents and there has been intense interest in the use of ERCC1 as a predictive marker of therapeutic response in non-small cell lung carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and ovarian cancer. We have previously validated ERCC1 as a therapeutic target in melanoma, but all small molecule ERCC1-XPF inhibitors reported to date have lacked sufficient potency and specificity for clinical use. In an alternative approach to prevent the repair activity of ERCC1-XPF, we investigated the mechanism of ERCC1 ubiquitination and found that the key region was the C-terminal (HhH)2 domain which heterodimerizes with XPF. This ERCC1 region was modified by non-conventional lysine-independent, but proteasome-dependent polyubiquitination, involving Lys33 of ubiquitin and a linear ubiquitin chain. XPF was not polyubiquitinated and its expression was dependent on presence of ERCC1, but not vice versa. To our surprise we found that ERCC1 can also homodimerize through its C-terminal (HhH)2 domain. We exploited the ability of a peptide containing this C-terminal domain to destabilise both endogenous ERCC1 and XPF in human melanoma cells and fibroblasts, resulting in reductions of up to 85% in nucleotide excision repair and near two-fold increased sensitivity to DNA damaging agents. We suggest that the ERCC1 (HhH)2 domain could be used in an alternative strategy to treat cancer.
IgA transglutaminase levels in children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

OBJECTIVES Several studies have indicated that adult patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) have elevated levels of antibodies associated with celiac disease (CD). This has not been studied in children, and none of the studies corrected for total IgA levels. METHODS We measured total IgA and IgA against tissue transglutaminase (TTG) levels in 42 children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), of whom 11 had SpA, along with 10 non-inflammatory control subjects. RESULTS Median (IQR) TTG IgA levels were elevated among children with ERA (8.8, 4.6 - 21) compared to 'JIA controls' (JIA subgroups other than ERA) (2.8, 1.5 - 5.9) and a healthy non-inflammatory control group (1.5, 0.82 - 12), p = 0.017, Kruskal-Wallis. There was no correlation between TTG IgA levels and measures of disease activity or with medicine use. None of the children were diagnosed endoscopically with celiac disease. Patients with ERA likewise had elevated total IgA level compared to the other groups (p = 0.001), and total IgA levels correlated highly with TTG IgA (r = 0.599, p<0.001). CONCLUSION These findings suggest that elevations in TTG IgA may reflect increased polyclonal IgA production, rather than a specific intestinal inflammatory process.
Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio as a Prognostic Marker of In-Hospital and Long-Term Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

We assessed the prognostic value of the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) on in-hospital and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in a large prospective study. Patients (n = 1938) admitted with acute STEMI within 12 hours of symptom onset and who underwent pPCI between January 2010 and January 2015 were followed up for 31.6 ± 16.2 months. During the in-hospital and long-term follow-up period, MACE, the prevalence of stent thrombosis, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and mortality were higher in the third PLR tertile group. A PLR in the third tertile had 2.4-fold increased risk of in-hospital MACE and 2.8-fold risk of long-term MACE. The PLR was significantly and positively correlated with peak creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) levels (r = 0.562, P < .001) and Gensini score (r = 0.408, P < .001). Kaplan-Meier analysis of long-term MACE-free survival revealed a higher occurrence of MACE in the third PLR tertile group compared to the other tertiles. In conclusion, the PLR may be a marker of inflammatory and prothrombotic status and predicted in-hospital and long-term MACE in a population with STEMI.
Comparative Evaluation of Multiplex PCR and Routine Laboratory Phenotypic Methods for Detection of Carbapenemases among Gram Negative Bacilli.

BACKGROUND Carbapenem resistant pathogens cause infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE This study evaluates the use of Multiplex PCR for rapid detection of carbapenemase genes among carbapenem resistant Gram negative bacteria in comparison with the existing phenotypic methods like modified Hodge test (MHT), combined disc test (CDT) and automated methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 100 Carbapenem resistant clinical isolates, [Escherichia coli (25), Klebsiella pneumoniae (35) P. aeruginosa (18) and Acinetobacter baumannii (22)] were screened for the presence of carbapenemases (bla NDM-1, bla VIM , blaIMP and blaKPC genes) by phenotype methods such as the modified Hodge test (MHT) and combined disc test (CDT) and the molecular methods such as Multiplex PCR. RESULTS Seventy of the 100 isolates were MHT positive while, 65 isolates were positive by CDT. All the CDT positive isolates with EDTA and APB were Metallo betalactamase (MBL) and K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) producers respectively. bla NDM-1 was present as a lone gene in 44 isolates. In 14 isolates bla NDM-1 gene was present with blaKPC gene, and in one isolate bla NDM-1 gene was present with blaVIM , gene. Only one E. coli isolate had a lone blaKPC gene. We didn't find bla IMP gene in any of the isolates. Neither of the genes could be detected in 35 isolates. CONCLUSION Accurate detection of the genes related with carbapenemase production by Molecular methods like Multiplex PCR overcome the limitations of the phenotypic methods and Automated systems.
Association between moderate physical activity, spinal motion and back muscle strength in postmenopausal women with and without osteoporosis

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether physical activity levels of postmenopausal women were associated with their bone mineral density (BMD), back extensor strength (BES), severity of thoracic kyphosis and range of spinal motion. Method. This study adopted a cross-sectional design. 189 female subjects from 50 to 80 years of age were divided into moderately active (n = 63) and sedentary (n = 126) groups according to their physical activity level, which is measured by the physical activity score. BMD (lumbar spine and hip), BES, severity of thoracic kyphosis and range of spinal motion in the sagittal and frontal plane were measured in each subject. Results. The groups differed significantly in the range of spinal motion in the sagittal plane (p = 0.01) (moderately active: 26.9±10.8; sedentary: 23.0±10.2), as well as in the right frontal plane (p < 0.001) (moderately active: 27.1 ± 6.4; sedentary: 23.4 ± 7.5) and left frontal plane (p < 0.001) (moderately active: 27.6 ± 6.5; sedentary 23.7 ± 7.4). There were no significant differences in BMD (active: 0.88 ± 0.18 g/cm2; sedentary: 0.98 ± 0.15 g/cm2), severity of thoracic kyphosis (active: 52.9 ± 12.4; sedentary: 51.9 ± 11.8) or BES (active: 49.0 N ± 14.6; sedentary: 46.6 N ± 15.1). Conclusions. This study demonstrates that active women had better range of spinal motion than sedentary women, but they did not differ significantly in severity of thoracic kyphosis, BES and BMD.
Stellate ganglion block used to treat symptoms associated with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder: a case series of 166 patients.

OBJECTIVE Report the successful use of stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) in 166 active duty service members with multiple combat deployments experiencing anxiety symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). BACKGROUND Successful treatment of PTSD symptoms with SGB has been reported previously. This is the largest published case series evaluating SGB with a minimum of 3 months follow-up. METHODS Following clinical interview including administration of the PTSD Checklist (PCL), 166 service members with symptoms of PTSD elected to receive a SGB. All patients received a SGB on the right side at the level of the sixth cervical vertebrae (C6). The PCL was administered the day before treatment to establish a baseline, repeated 1 week later, and then monthly out to 3 months. A positive response was considered to be an improvement in the PCL score by 10 or greater points. Follow-up PCL scores from 3 to 6 months were obtained and analyzed for 166 patients. RESULTS In a military population with multiple combat deployments, over 70% of the patients treated had a clinically significant improvement in their PCL score which persisted beyond 3 to 6 months postprocedure. CONCLUSION Selective blockade of the right cervical sympathetic chain at the C6 level is a safe and minimally invasive procedure that may provide durable relief from anxiety symptoms associated with PTSD.
Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptors in Serum and Urine of Patients with Chancroid and Their Response to Therapy

To investigate cell-mediated immune response in chancroid, soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in serum and urine samples of healthy individuals and patients were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Increased levels both in serum and in urine were observed in cases of Haemophilus ducreyi infection. In patients showing a prolonged incubation period, urine levels exceeded serum values. Therapy led to a reduction of elevated interleukin-2 receptor levels in serum and in urine.
Improving the automatic karyotyping accuracy of the unrefined chromosome features using fuzzy logic

One of the most under consideration progresses in medical image processing is chromosome analysis and classification performed on dividing cells in their metaphase stage what is called a kryotype. Many studies for computer-based chromosome analysis using artificial neural network (ANN) have shown that it would be a good idea for classification of chromosomes. But in most of those works some limitations appears. There are many sources of uncertainty in this problem domain, making complete karyotyping a difficult task. Thus one of the most important aspects is the lack of approximate reasoning. In this work it is tried to give this ability to those classifiers in a very simple way using adaptive structure of fuzzy systems. The experiments show that the performance of this system in case of unrefined data like old version of Copenhagen data set is better than previous works.
Amendment to the guideline for diagnosis and investigation of polycythaemia/erythrocytosis

historical review. Leukemia Research, 31, 439–444. Tober, J., Koniski, A. , McGrath, K.E. , Vemishetti, R. , Emerson, R. , de Mesy-Bentley, K.K. L. , Waugh, R. & Palis, J. (2007) The megakaryocyte lineage originates from hemangioblast precursors and is an integral component both of primitive and of definitive hematopoiesis. Blood, 109, 1433–1441.
Cross-Country Evidence on the Role of Independent Media in Constraining Corporate Tax Aggressiveness

Using an international sample of firms from 32 countries, we study the relation between media independence and corporate tax aggressiveness. We measure media independence by the extent of private ownership and competition in the media industry. Using an indicator variable for tax aggressiveness when the firm’s corporate tax avoidance measure is within the top quartile of each country-industry combination, we find strong evidence that media independence is associated with a lower likelihood of tax aggressiveness, after controlling for other institutional determinants, including home-country tax system characteristics. We also find that the effect of media independence is more pronounced when the legal environment is weaker, and when the information environment is less transparent. We contribute to the business ethics literature by documenting the role of independent media as an external monitoring mechanism in constraining corporate tax aggressiveness.
Pre-death grief in the context of dementia caregiving: a concept analysis.

AIM The aim of this study was to report on an analysis of the concept of pre-death grief in the context of dementia family caregiving. BACKGROUND Research indicates that witnessing changes and losses in a family member with dementia can lead to pre-death grief. Pre-death grief is associated with depression, burden and maladaptive caregiver coping. However, the concept lacks a refined definition and blurs with similar constructs. DESIGN Concept analysis using a hybrid of Penrod and Hupcey's principle-based concept analysis and Chin and Kramer's conceptualization of meaning. DATA SOURCES 49 peer-reviewed papers (2000-2013) that addressed pre-death grief in dementia family caregivers were used for the principle-based analysis; two examples from the popular media were used for the analysis of conceptual meaning. METHODS The scientific papers were examined for epistemological, linguistic, pragmatic and logical clarity. The two examples from the popular media were explored for conceptual meaning. RESULTS Pre-death grief in the context of dementia caregiving is a meaningful concept found in the popular media. From a scholarly point of view, it is an emerging concept. A definition is offered to advance conceptual clarity. Discussion focuses on advancing the concept into a situation-specific middle-range theory of pre-death grief in family caregiving. CONCLUSIONS The concept of pre-death grief has salience for researchers and caregivers. This analysis lays the foundation for use of the concept in nursing research and practice across cultural, environmental and illness domains.
Child’s quality of life and mother’s burden in spastic cerebral palsy: a topographical classification perspective

Objective To evaluate the child’s quality of life (QoL), mother’s burden, and correlation between these parameters in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Methods Children with spastic CP (n = 120; mean age: 8.64 ± 3.45 years; range: 2–17 years) were classified into three groups of diplegia, hemiplegia, and quadriplegia based on topographical classification. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and Zarit Burden Interview were used to determine the child’s QoL and the mother’s burden scores, respectively. Results Children’s QoL scores were lower in the quadriplegia group than in the hemiplegia and diplegia groups (except for emotional functioning). The mother’s burden was lower in the quadriplegia group than in the other groups, and it was lower in the diplegia group than in the hemiplegia group. Increases in children’s QoL scores were associated with decreases in the mothers’ burden scores. Conclusion Children’s QoL is associated with the mother’s burden in spastic CP, and quadriplegic children and their mothers are more affected. The burden of mothers ranked the highest in the quadriplegia group, followed by the diplegia group and the hemiplegia group. Topographical classification is a good indicator for children’s QoL and the mother’s burden in spastic CP.
Flow Reversal for Proximal Neuroprotection during Endovascular Management of Critical Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Coexisting with Ipsilateral External Carotid Artery Occlusion

Purpose: To report the utility of proximal brain protection by flow reversal in endovascular management of critical internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis coexisting with ipsilateral external carotid artery (iECA) occlusion. Case Report: Four patients with a symptomatic, critical ICA stenosis (in-stent restenosis in one) and iECA occlusion were admitted for carotid artery stenting (CAS). In all cases, the stenosis severity and high-risk lesion morphology precluded the use of filter protection. The “tailored” CAS algorithm indicated that a proximal anti-embolism system should be used to maximize the potential for effective neuroprotection. The flow reversal system, which consists of an independent guiding sheath balloon positioned in the common carotid artery (CCA) and an iECA balloon-wire, was employed, using the CCA balloon only. The system was well-tolerated, and the CAS procedures were uneventful. Conclusion: Due to a unique design with separate CCA and iECA balloons, the flow reversal system can be used for proximal neuroprotection during CAS in severe, symptomatic ICA lesions coexisting with iECA occlusion.
Procaine and Mepivacaine Have Less Toxicity In Vitro Than Other Clinically Used Local Anesthetics

The neurotoxicity of local anesthetics can be demonstrated in vitro by the collapse of growth cones and neurites in cultured neurons. We compared the neurotoxicity of procaine, mepivacaine, ropivacaine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, tetracaine, and dibucaine by using cultured neurons from the freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis. A solution of local anesthetics was added to the culture dish to make final concentrations ranging from 1 × 10−6 to 2 × 10−2 M. Morphological changes in the growth cones and neurites were observed and graded 1 (moderate) or 2 (severe). The median concentrations yielding a score of 1 were 5 × 10−4 M for procaine, 5 × 10−4 M for mepivacaine, 2 × 10−4 M for ropivacaine, 2 × 10−4 M for bupivacaine, 1 × 10−4 M for lidocaine, 5 × 10−5 M for tetracaine, and 2 × 10−5 M for dibucaine. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between mepivacaine and ropivacaine, bupivacaine and lidocaine, lidocaine and tetracaine, and tetracaine and dibucaine. The order of neurotoxicity was procaine = mepivacaine < ropivacaine = bupivacaine < lidocaine < tetracaine < dibucaine. Although lidocaine is more toxic than bupivacaine and ropivacaine, mepivacaine, which has a similar pharmacological effect to lidocaine, has the least-adverse effects on cone growth among clinically used local anesthetics.