Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No tail co-operates with non-canonical Wnt signaling to regulate posterior body morphogenesis in zebrafish

The vertebrate posterior body is formed by a combination of the gastrulation movements that shape the head and anterior trunk and posterior specific cell behaviors. Here, we investigated whether genes that regulate cell movements during gastrulation [no tail (ntl)/brachyury, knypek (kny) and pipetail (ppt)/wnt5] interact to regulate posterior body morphogenesis. Both kny;ntl and ppt;ntl double mutant embryos exhibit synergistic trunk and tail shortening by early segmentation. Gene expression analysis in the compound mutants indicates that anteroposterior germ-layer patterning is largely normal and that the tail elongation defects are not due to failure to specify or maintain posterior tissues. Moreover, ntl interacts with ppt and kny to synergistically regulate the posterior expression of the gene encoding bone morphogenetic protein 4 (bmp4) but not of other known T-box genes, fibroblast growth factor genes or caudal genes. Examination of mitotic and apoptotic cells indicates that impaired tail elongation is not simply due to decreased cell proliferation or increased cell death. Cell tracing in ppt;ntl and kny;ntl mutants demonstrates that the ventral derived posterior tailbud progenitors move into the tailbud. However, gastrulation-like convergence and extension movements and cell movements within the posterior tailbud are impaired. Furthermore, subduction movements of cells into the mesendoderm are reduced in kny;ntl and ppt;ntl mutants. We propose that Ntl and the non-canonical Wnt pathway components Ppt and Kny function in parallel, partially redundant pathways to regulate posterior body development. Our work initiates the genetic dissection of posterior body morphogenesis and links genes to specific tail-forming movements. Moreover, we provide genetic evidence for the notion that tail development entails a continuation of mechanisms regulating gastrulation together with mechanisms unique to the posterior body.
Demonstrating the capacity of online citizen science mapping software to communicate natural hazards and engage community participation

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is an online citizen science mapping software program that can be used to empower communities and encourage participation in natural hazards planning. This is a multi-disciplinary thesis demonstrating OSM’s effectiveness as a tool in this capacity through a literature review, in depth case study, and functional application. The literature review and case study focus on applications of OSM in other contexts, like the Nepal earthquakes in 2015. The functional application addresses the impacts of climate change in the Elk River watershed. Flooding here has become more frequent and intense as a result of climate change. The Flood Solution Strategy is prepares people for extreme flooding events in Fernie, B.C. This research utilized a unique methodology in using OSM as both a tool for engaging the community and communicating the risk of flooding. The result is a flood hazard map created through a science-policy-stakeholder partnership complimenting a larger initiative.
The influence of trust on the member-union relationship in the public sector of Botswana

Borrowing from studies on the state of a psychological contract in an employeeemployer relationship and how the state of the psychological contracts affects organisational commitment, this article seeks to explore the relationship between psychological contract in a member-union relationship and how it affects union commitment from members. The objective of this article is to confirm the existence of a psychological contract in a member-union relationship through determining the union obligations, member obligations and the state of the psychological contract. The study hypothesises that the fulfilment of the state of the psychological contract in a member-union relationship is associated with increased levels of commitment to unions by its members. An availability sample of 375 public sector employees was used and a descriptive statistical analysis and correlation matrix was used to confirm the union obligations and member obligations in a member-union psychological contract and to test the relationship between state of the psychological contract and union commitment. As hypothesised, psychological contract fulfilment is positively related to union commitment.
Susceptibility influence of a PTPN22 haplotype with thyroid autoimmunity in Koreans

Considerable amount of evidences in the Caucasians have suggested the association of a missense single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the protein tyrosine phosphatase non‐receptor type 22 (PTPN22) gene (rs2476601) with several autoimmune diseases including autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) and type 1 diabetes (T1D). As the SNP was reported to be non‐polymorphic in Asians, we attempt to explore an association of PTPN22 without restricting to the rs2476601 with AITD or T1D in Korean population.
Interaction of Drosophila Inhibitors of Apoptosis with Thick Veins, a Type I Serine/Threonine Kinase Receptor for Decapentaplegic*

Decapentaplegic (Dpp) is a Drosophilamember of bone morphogenetic proteins, which belong to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. Members of this family regulate a variety of biological processes such as cell proliferation, morphogenesis, immune response, and apoptosis. Dpp plays a critical role in many aspects of Drosophila development. Members of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily bind to two different types of serine/threonine kinase receptors, termed type I and type II. Type I receptors act as downstream components of type II receptors in the receptor complexes. Therefore, intracellular proteins that interact with the type I receptors are likely to play important roles in signaling. Several proteins have been identified through protein-protein interaction screenings. We identifiedDrosophila inhibitor of apoptosis (DIAP) 1 as an interacting protein of a Dpp type I receptor, Thick veins (Tkv). DIAP1 associates with Tkv in vivo. The binding region in DIAP1 is mapped to its C-terminal RING finger region. DIAP2, anotherDrosophila member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, also interacts with Tkv in vivo. These data suggest that DIAP1 and DIAP2 may be involved, possibly as negative regulators, in the Dpp signaling pathway, which leads to cell apoptosis.
Comparative Evaluation of Cranial Base and Facial Morphology of Cleft Lip and Palate Patients With Normal Individuals in Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Introduction:This study aimed to compare the cranial base and facial morphology of cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients with individuals with no cleft. Methods:Thirty-two adult individuals including 9 patients without cleft, 14 patients with unilateral CLP, and 9 patients with bilateral CLP participated in the study. The average age of participants was 18.71 ± 2.1 years. Full skull cone-beam computed tomography of all of the participants was taken. Anatomic landmarks were traced in the midsagittal, coronal, and axial planes, and craniofacial height and width-related parameters were compared among the 3 groups. Analysis of variance and Tukey test were used for comparison. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results:SNA (P = 0.048), SNB (P = 0.005), S-N-Pog (P = 0.007), N-ANS (P = 0.013), and the distance between the most superior points of the external auditory meatus (P = 0.01) were significantly decreased in bilateral CLP compared with the control group. Similarly, SNB (P = 0.013) and S-N-Pog (P = 0.008) were significantly smaller in unilateral cases compared with the controls. S-N to the palatal plane was significantly increased in both unilateral (P = 0.013) and bilateral (P = 0.00) cases compared with individuals with no cleft. However, S-N to the palatal plane significantly increased in bilateral cases compared with unilateral clefts (P = 0.028). Conclusions:Based on the results of the current study, adult patients with CLP showed relatively distinctive morphological features in maxillofacial and cranial base regions. It seems that less dysmorphic characteristics are observed in transverse dimensions of the face and basicranium in both types of cleft. On the other hand, lateral cranial base is more affected by CLP compared with the middle basicranium.
The effect of prenatal antidepressant exposure on neonatal adaptation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE Conflicting reports on potential risks of antidepressant exposure during gestation for the infant have been reported in the literature. This systematic review and meta-analysis on immediate neonatal outcomes were conducted to clarify what, if any, risks are faced by infants exposed to antidepressants in utero. Subanalyses address known methodological limitations in the field. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched from their start dates to June 2010. Various combinations of keywords were utilized including, but not limited to, depressive/mood disorder, pregnancy/pregnancy trimesters, antidepressant drugs, and neonatal effects. STUDY SELECTION English language and cohort and case-control studies reporting on a cluster of signs defined as poor neonatal adaptation syndrome (PNAS) or individual clinical signs (respiratory distress and tremors) associated with pharmacologic treatment were selected. Of 3,074 abstracts reviewed, 735 articles were retrieved and 12 were included in this analysis. DATA EXTRACTION Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the quality of the articles. RESULTS Twelve studies were retrieved that examined PNAS or the signs of respiratory distress and tremors in the infant. There was a significant association between exposure to antidepressants during pregnancy and overall occurrence of PNAS (odds ratio [OR] = 5.07; 95% CI, 3.25-7.90; P < .0001). Respiratory distress (OR = 2.20; 95% CI, 1.81-2.66; P < .0001) and tremors (OR = 7.89; 95% CI, 3.33-18.73; P < .0001) were also significantly associated with antidepressant exposure. For the respiratory outcome, studies using convenience samples had significantly higher ORs (Q1 = 5.4, P = .020). No differences were found in any other moderator analyses. CONCLUSIONS An increased risk of PNAS exists in infants exposed to antidepressant medication during pregnancy; respiratory distress and tremors also show associations. Neonatologists need to be prepared and updated in their management, and clinicians must inform their patients of this risk.
The Effect of Economic Liberalization on thePerformance of the Industrial Sector In Nigeria

This study seeks to·identify the effect of the economic liberalization policy of the government (introduced in 1986 under the structural adjustment programme) on the performance of the industrial sector in Nigeria. Specifically, the study examines the extent to which changes in some key economic indicators like exchange rate, financial depth, trade openness and inflation rate account for the trend in output performance of Nigeria's industrial sector. Annual data on the variables, sourced from the publications of the Central Bank of Nigeria, were analysed using the technique of the Vector Error Correction Model. The study shows that exchange rate volatility and trade opetmess exert a significant positive impact on industrial output performo.nce. The study however shows that financial depth and inflation exert insignificant negative impact Oil industrial output growth. To enhance the performance of the sector, government should seek to diversifY sources of foreign exelrangeinjlow to support her import-dependent industrial sector as well as develop the infrastructure base of the economy. Properly functioning infrastructure will, among other things, greatly enhance the realization of low price levels and hence low liNe/ ofinflatimt required to boost domestic production capacity
The "Prospects" Study of Educational Growth and Opportunity: Implications for Policy and Practice.

This paper examines results from the Prospects study--a research agenda that explored the federal Title I program's impact on the academic and socio-emotional development of disadvantaged children. The document focuses on the program's strengths and limitations, offering a brief review of educational research and highlighting what may or may not work to alter the largely disappointing results found in Prospects. The paper outlines the history of the Title I program and discusses how a lack of resources and instructional requirements and other problems hindered the program's effectiveness. The paper looks at early evidence on the impact of Title I and then turns to the Prospects study, which was to be a national longitudinal assessment of Title I. The Prospects study found that Title I assistance was usually insufficient to close the gap in academic achievement between advantaged and disadvantaged students. The paper examines what makes a program effective, concentrating on instructional practice, class size, tracking, tutoring, and other strategies. The paper details the argument for improving entire schools, rather than a subset of the school, and concludes that Title I cannot by itself compensate for the substantial educational deprivations associated with child poverty. (Contains approximately 220 references.) (RJM) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************************************************************** The Prospects Study of Educational Growth and Opportunity: Implications for Policy and Practice
Facial Infiltrating Lipomatosis

&NA; Facial infiltrating lipomatosis is a rare congenital disorder in which mature lipocytes invade adjacent tissue. The phenotypic features include soft‐tissue and skeletal hypertrophy, premature dental eruption, and regional macrodontia. There is a high risk for regrowth after resection that is, perforce, subtotal. The etiology, natural history, optimal management, and relationship to other disorders of fatty overgrowth are unclear. In this study, the clinical features, radiographic findings, histopathology, and postoperative results were analyzed in 13 patients with facial infiltrating lipomatosis. The condition was diagnosed in infancy (eight male subjects, five female subjects) and characterized by enlargement of the cheek (n = 12) or chin (n = 1). Other findings included cutaneous capillary blush (n = 9), ipsilateral macroglossia (n = 8), and mucosal neuromas (n = 6). Most patients had early eruption of ipsilateral deciduous and permanent teeth (n = 12). Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed an infiltrated soft‐tissue mass of fatty density (n = 13) and skeletal overgrowth (n = 9). Multiple resection was performed on six patients (mean number of operations per patient, 2.5; range, one to six operations); regrowth and/or worsening of the capillary stain occurred in all six patients. Because surgical removal of the mass is usually unsuccessful, specific management of this condition will require insight into its etiopathogenesis. Given the presence of mucosal neuromas and lipomatosis, this study included testing for the known mutations in three entities that are associated with these soft‐tissue findings (Cowden syndrome, Bannayan‐Riley‐Ruvalcava syndrome, and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B). Results of DNA analyses for these germline mutations were negative. It is more likely that this disorder is caused by a somatic mutation involving a local increase in growth factor(s). (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 108: 1544, 2001.)
The radiobiological effectiveness of carbon-ion beams on growing neurons

Purpose: Recently carbon-ion beams have been reported to be remarkably effective for controlling various cancers with less toxicity and are thought to be a promising modality for cancer treatment. However, the biological effect of carbon-ion beams arising on normal neuron remains unknown. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of carbon-ion beams on neurons by using both morphological and functional assays. Materials and methods: Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and sympathetic ganglion chains (SYMP) were isolated from day-8 and day-16 chick embryos and cultured for 20 h. Cultured neurons were exposed to carbon-ion beams and X-rays. Morphological changes, apoptosis and cell viability were evaluated with the Growth Cone Collapse (GCC), Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyUridine TriPhosphate (dUTP) nick End Labeling [TUNEL] assay and 4-[3-(4-iodophenyl)- 2-(4-nitrophenyl)- 2H-5-tetrazolio]- 1,3-benzenedisulfonate [WST-1] assays, respectively. Results: Irradiation caused GCC and neurite destruction on a time- and irradiation dose-dependent manner. Changes in morphological characteristics were similar following either irradiation. Morphological and functional assays showed that day-8 neurons were more radiosensitive than day-16 neurons, whereas, radiosensitivity of DRG was comparable to that of SYMP. The dose-response fitting curve utilising both GCC and TUNEL labeling index showed higher relative biological effectiveness (RBE) values were associated with lower lethal dose (LD) values, while lower RBE was associated with higher LD values. Conclusion: Exposure to high-linear energy transfer (LET) irradiation is up to 3.2 more efficient to induce GCC and apoptosis, in early developed neuronal cells, than low-LET irradiation. GCC is a reliable method to assess the radiobiological response of neurons.
[The potential prognostic influence of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in acute leukemia].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential influence of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the prognosis of patients with acute leukemia(AL). METHODS In 171 evaluable cases with AL, the complete remission (CR) rate post first course of chemotherapy, CR rate, effective rate, duration of leucopenia post chemotherapy, CR duration, lifespan and the relationship between the dosage of G-CSF and CR duration or lifespan were retrospectively analyzed with Chi-square test, paired t-test, Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier and rank correlation method. For remission induction and postremission therapy, the cases with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) received chemotherapy regimes based on daunorubicin + ara-C (DA), homoharringtonine + ara-C (HA) or mitoxantrone + ara-C (MA). The patients with acute lymphocyte leukemia (ALL) were treated with regimes based on vinblastine + daunorubicin + prednisone (VDP), vinblastine + adriamycin + prednisone (VAP), vinblastine + mitoxantrone + prednisone (VMP) or cyclophosphamide + vinblastine + daunorubicin + prednisone(CODP). In G-CSF group, the patients whose WBC count fell below 1.0 x 10(9)/L after chemotherapy were given rhG-CSF (1.5-6.0 microg.kg(-1). d(-1)) until WBC count restored to 2.5 x 10(9)/L. RESULTS (1) Patients administered applied with G-CSF had shorter duration of leucopenia. However, there was no statistical difference between the two groups in the CR rate post first course of chemotherapy, CR rate and the effective rate of treatment. (2) Use of G-CSF did not affect CR durations of ALL patients, but shortened that of AML patients. (3) The application of G-CSF had little effect on the lifespan of ALL patients. By contrast, it showed clearly negative effects on that of AML patients. (4) No relationship between the dosage of G-CSF and CR duration or lifespan in AML patients. CONCLUSION With AML patients, the administration of G-CSF must be very cautious.
Flocking of the Cucker-Smale Model on General Digraphs

In the literature, the study of the Cucker-Smale (C-S) flocking model is all restricted to connected undirected graphs or digraphs of some special types, containing only a single root. In this technical note, we establish the flocking behavior of the C-S model on general digraphs, which contain all existing interaction topologies in relation to the C-S model as special cases. In particular, the topology with multiple leaders is included. The flocking results are guaranteed under some conditions on the initial state of the flock only. The critical exponent below which unconditional convergence holds is given, depending only on the interaction topology. It is consistent with the ones obtained under some known special topologies in the literature.
The necessity to work, according to John Calvin's duty of stewardship

Abstract This article analyses John Calvin's argument for the necessity of hard, lifelong work. Paradoxically, his argument runs alongside a condemnation of the quest for personal enrichment and the pursuit of self-interest. This apparent contradiction can be resolved if it is understood within the framework of a duty of stewardship, according to which every man has to act as God would have done in his place. Our description of this duty leads us to outline the concept of work in Calvin's thought, and to locate it within the context of Max Weber's understanding of the ascetic Calvinist interpretation of work.
Human HtrA1 in the archived eyes with age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE HtrA1 belongs to the high temperature requirement factor A family of serine proteases, which are involved in protein quality control and cell fate. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs11200638, in the promoter of HtrA1 at chromosome 10q26 is reported as a likely causal variant for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The SNP is located in the regulatory region and increases production of HtrA1 protein. This study investigates HtrA1 expression and SNP genotypes in archived ocular slides with AMD. METHODS Macular, nonretinal, and peripheral retinal cells were microdissected from archived slides from 57 eyes with AMD and 16 age-matched, non-AMD controls. HtrA1 rs11200638 SNP genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. HtrA1 transcripts were measured using real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. HtrA1 protein expression was evaluated using avidin-biotin complex immunohistochemistry. RESULTS HtrA1 (G/A) SNP was successfully genotyped in 52 AMD cases and 13 non-AMD subjects. The frequencies of the risk allele (A) were 55 of 104 (52.9%) and 8 of 26 (30.8%) in AMD and control groups, respectively. HtrA1 mRNA was detected in normal peripheral and macular retinas, higher in the periphery than maculae. HtrA1 mRNA was much higher in the macula and a lot lower in the periphery of the AMD eyes as compared to control eyes. HtrA1 protein was expressed in normal retinal vascular endothelia and retinal pigment epithelia. Intense immunoreaction against HtrA1 was found in AMD lesions, slightly more in wet than dry AMD lesions. CONCLUSION This study successfully analyzes HtrA1 SNP and transcript expression in microdissected cells from archived paraffin fixed slides. Up-regulation of HtrA1 is detected in the macular lesions of AMD eyes. The data further suggest that rs11200638 in HtrA1 promoter is associated with AMD development.