Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SOME METHODS OF ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC VISUALIZATION OF LIPOPROTEINS IN PLASMA AND CHYLE

Using isolated rat chylomicrons and human hyperlipemic plasma as experimental systems, we have described various methods of preparing lipoproteins for electron microscopic observation. Of these methods three have been found to be particularly useful and are described in detail. They are: (1) long osmium fixation followed by ultracentrifugation of the fixed particles to form a pellet for subsequent embedding and thin sectioning, (2) brief osmium fixation followed by shadow casting of the particles and (3) osmium vapor fixation and direct electron microscopic visualization of the lipoproteins. Shadow casting appears to be the most rapid and reliable means of evaluating the particle size distribution of human plasma lipoprotein. Because of its rapidity, this procedure may be of diagnostic value in clinical research laboratories.
Performance Validity and Symptom Validity in Neuropsychological Assessment

Abstract Failure to evaluate the validity of an examinee's neuropsychological test performance can alter prediction of external criteria in research investigations, and in the individual case, result in inaccurate conclusions about the degree of impairment resulting from neurological disease or injury. The terms performance validity referring to validity of test performance (PVT), and symptom validity referring to validity of symptom report (SVT), are suggested to replace less descriptive terms such as effort or response bias. Research is reviewed demonstrating strong diagnostic discrimination for PVTs and SVTs, with a particular emphasis on minimizing false positive errors, facilitated by identifying performance patterns or levels of performance that are atypical for bona fide neurologic disorder. It is further shown that false positive errors decrease, with a corresponding increase in the positive probability of malingering, when multiple independent indicators are required for diagnosis. The rigor of PVT and SVT research design is related to a high degree of reproducibility of results, and large effect sizes of d=1.0 or greater, exceeding effect sizes reported for several psychological and medical diagnostic procedures. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–7)
The kinetic power of jets magnetically accelerated from advection-dominated accretion flows in radio galaxies

There is a significant non-linear correlation between the Eddington ratio (L(bol)/L(Edd)) and the Eddington-scaled kinetic power (L(kin)/L(Edd)) of jets in low luminosity active galactic nuclei (AGNs). It is believed that these low luminosity AGNs contain advection-dominated accretion flows (ADAFs). We adopt the ADAF model developed by Li & Cao, in which the global dynamics of ADAFs with magnetically driven outflows is derived numerically, to explore the relation between the bolometric luminosity and the kinetic power of jets. We find that the observed relation, L(kin)/L(Edd) proportional to (L(bol)/L(Edd))(0.49), can be well reproduced by the model calculations with reasonable parameters for ADAFs with magnetically driven outflows. Our model calculations are always consistent with the slope of the correlation independent of the values of the parameters adopted. Compared with the observations, our results show that over 60 per cent of the accreted gas at the outer radius escapes from the accretion disc in a wind before the gas falls into the black holes. The observed correlation between the Eddington-scaled kinetic power and Bondi power can also be qualitatively reproduced by our model calculations. Our results show that the mechanical efficiency epsilon (L(kin) = epsilon(M) over dot(bondi)c(2)) varies from 10(-2) to 10(-3), which is roughly consistent with that required in AGN feedback simulations.
Targeting the protein prenyltransferases efficiently reduces tumor development in mice with K-RAS-induced lung cancer

RAS and RHO proteins, which contribute to tumorigenesis and metastasis, undergo posttranslational modification with an isoprenyl lipid by protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) or protein geranylgeranyltransferase-I (GGTase-I). Inhibitors of FTase and GGTase-I were developed to block RAS-induced malignancies, but their utility has been difficult to evaluate because of off-target effects, drug resistance, and toxicity. Moreover, the impact of FTase deficiency and combined FTase/GGTase-I deficiency has not been evaluated with genetic approaches. We found that inactivation of FTase eliminated farnesylation of HDJ2 and H-RAS, prevented H-RAS targeting to the plasma membrane, and blocked proliferation of primary and K-RASG12D-expressing fibroblasts. FTase inactivation in mice with K-RAS-induced lung cancer reduced tumor growth and improved survival, similar to results obtained previously with inactivation of GGTase-I. Simultaneous inactivation of FTase and GGTase-I markedly reduced lung tumors and improved survival without apparent pulmonary toxicity. These data shed light on the biochemical and therapeutic importance of FTase and suggest that simultaneous inhibition of FTase and GGTase-I could be useful in cancer therapeutics.
Is there life after Buckley's formocresol? Part II - Development of a protocol for the management of extensive caries in the primary molar.

OBJECTIVE To produce a working clinical protocol for pulp therapy techniques in the extensively carious primary molar. INTRODUCTION The International Agency for Research on Cancer has recently classified formaldehyde as carcinogenic to human beings. As such, a medicament that can be used to replace formocresol in clinical practice should be identified. METHODS Part I of this paper explored the currently available alternative interventions and materials to formocresol in the form of a narrative review following an extensive literature search. Part II now presents the formation of a specialist group to establish an evidence-based protocol, for the management of the extensively carious primary molar. CONCLUSION A protocol and key points document have been developed to assist clinicians in their treatment planning. Areas for further postgraduate training are identified.
Intracerebral Dendritic Cells Critically Modulate Encephalitogenic versus Regulatory Immune Responses in the CNS

Dendritic cells (DCs) appear in higher numbers within the CNS as a consequence of inflammation associated with autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, but the contribution of these cells to the outcome of disease is not yet clear. Here, we show that stimulatory or tolerogenic functional states of intracerebral DCs regulate the systemic activation of neuroantigen-specific T cells, the recruitment of these cells into the CNS and the onset and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Intracerebral microinjection of stimulatory DCs exacerbated the onset and clinical course of EAE, accompanied with an early T-cell infiltration and a decreased proportion of regulatory FoxP3-expressing cells in the brain. In contrast, the intracerebral microinjection of DCs modified by tumor necrosis factor α induced their tolerogenic functional state and delayed or prevented EAE onset. This triggered the generation of interleukin 10 (IL-10)-producing neuroantigen-specific lymphocytes in the periphery and restricted IL-17 production in the CNS. Our findings suggest that DCs are a rate-limiting factor for neuroinflammation.
Overlapping binding sites drive allosteric agonism and positive cooperativity in type 4 metabotropic glutamate receptors

Type 4 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu4) receptors are emerging targets for the treatment of various disorders. Accordingly, numerous mGlu4‐positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have been identified, some of which also display agonist activity. To identify the structural bases for their allosteric action, we explored the relationship between the binding pockets of mGlu4 PAMs with different chemical scaffolds and their functional properties. By use of innovative mGlu4 biosensors and second‐messenger assays, we show that all PAMs enhance agonist action on the receptor through different degrees of allosteric agonism and positive cooperativity. For example, whereas VU0155041 and VU0415374 display equivalent efficacies [log(τB) = 1.15 ± 0.38 and 1.25 ± 0.44, respectively], they increase the ability of l‐AP4 to stabilize the active conformation of the receptor by 4 and 39 times, respectively. Modeling and docking studies identify 2 overlapping binding pockets as follows: a first site homologous to the pocket of natural agonists of class A GPCRs linked to allosteric agonism and a second one pointing toward a site topographically homologous to the Na+ binding pocket of class A GPCRs, occupied by PAMs exhibiting the strongest cooperativity. These results reveal that intrinsic efficacy and cooperativity of mGlu4 PAMs are correlated with their binding mode, and vice versa, integrating structural and functional knowledge from different GPCR classes. —Rovira, X. , Malhaire, F. , Scholler, P., Rodrigo, J., Gonzalez‐Bulnes, P., Llebaria, A. , Pin, J.P., Giraldo, J., Goudet, C. , Overlapping binding sites drive allosteric agonism and positive cooperativity in type 4 metabotropic glutamate receptors. FASEB J. 29, 116–130 (2015). www.fasebj. org
Articulatory speech errors and word structure

This study explores how identical final CV syllables in C1VC3V C2VC3V word pairs affect speech error patterns. Recent kinematic studies have shown that speakers frequently added non-intended movements to intended articulatory movements during the first consonants of C1VC3 C2VC3 syllables or reduce the range of the intended movements [1, 2, 3]. This effect was especially strong in syllables that contained identical final consonants, such as in switching from “cop top” to “top cop” [2]. It was hypothesized for the current study that C1VC3V C2VC3V word pairs, in which the second and fourth syllable were identical, would show similar intrusion and reduction patterns. Articulatory movements of the tongue tip, dorsum and lower lip were recorded with the 3D ElectroMagnetic Articulograph (AG501). Stimuli consisted of pairs of open and pairs of closed syllables. The findings revealed that CVCV CVCV word pairs resulted in significant more intrusions than CVC CVC word pairs.
ESP13.2, a Member of the β-Defensin Family, Is a Macaque Sperm Surface-Coating Protein Involved in the Capacitation Process1

Abstract Female macaques produced isoantibodies to a limited number of sperm surface proteins following immunization with sperm components released by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). Washed, acrosome-intact, fixed sperm injected into rabbits elicited a major immune response to one of the same PI-PLC-released proteins, which was shown to be a sperm surface-coating protein. After purification and digestion of the glycoprotein, four peptides were analyzed for amino acid sequence, and all had 100% homology with an epididymal secretory protein, ESP13.2, reported previously to be a small, cationic-rich peptide and a member of the β-defensin family. Antibodies to purified ESP13.2 recognized a number of protein bands on Western blots of nonreduced PI-PLC-released sperm components and nonreduced whole-sperm extracts. After chemical disulfide reduction, only a single, broad band from 31 to 35 kDa was recognized by anti-ESP13.2 antibodies. Indirect immunofluorescence showed ESP13.2 over the entire surface of ejaculated macaque sperm. Fluorescence was only slightly reduced after sperm were washed through 80% Percoll. A 24-h incubation in capacitating medium significantly reduced the amount of ESP13.2 over the head and midpiece, whereas exposure of the incubated sperm to dbcAMP and caffeine (capacitation activators) resulted in almost complete loss of ESP13.2 from the sperm surface. After activation, ESP13.2 was the primary component released into the medium as judged electrophoretically. Lignosulfonic acid, a potent inhibitor of macaque fertilization in vitro, completely blocked release of ESP13.2 from the sperm surface, even following treatment with activators. These findings suggest that the β-defensin, ESP13.2, has a function in the capacitation of macaque spermatozoa and may modulate sperm surface-receptor presentation at the time of fertilization.
Correlates of HIV infection among street-based and venue-based sex workers in Vietnam

Summary Commercial sex work is one of the driving forces of the HIV epidemic across the world. In Vietnam, although female sex workers (FSWs) carry a disproportionate burden of HIV, little is known about the risk profile and associated factors for HIV infection among this population. There is a need for large-scale research to obtain reliable and representative estimates of the measures of association. This study involved secondary data analysis of the ‘HIV/STI Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance’ study in Vietnam in 2009–2010 to examine the correlates of HIV among FSWs. Data collected from 5298 FSWs, including 2530 street-based sex workers and 2768 venue-based sex workers from 10 provinces in Vietnam, were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. HIV prevalence among the overall FSW population was 8.6% (n = 453). However, when stratified by FSW subpopulations, HIV prevalence was 10.6% (n = 267) for street-based sex workers and 6.7% (n = 186) for venue-based sex workers. Factors independently associated with HIV infection in the multivariate analysis, regardless of sex work types, were injecting drug use, high self-perceived HIV risk, and age ≥ 25 years. Additional factors independently associated with HIV risk within each FSW subpopulation included having ever been married among street-based sex workers and inconsistent condom use with clients and having sex partners who injected drugs among venue-based sex workers. Apart from strategies addressing modifiable risk behaviours among all FSWs, targeted strategies to address specific risk behaviours within each FSW subpopulation should be adopted.
Different Moderators of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Subjective and Objective Binge Eating in Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder: A Three-Year Follow-Up Study

Background: Different studies considered the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of binge eating in bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED), suggesting different pathways. The present 3-year follow-up study evaluated the relationships between psychopathological variables, and objective and subjective binge eating episodes in the two syndromes. Methods: 85 BN and 133 BED patients were studied. Objective and subjective binge eating, and psychopathological data were collected in a face-to-face interview, and by means of different self-reported questionnaires. The same assessment was repeated at baseline (T0), at the end of an individual cognitive-behavioral treatment (T1), and 3 years after the end of treatment (T2). Results: At baseline, BN and BED patients showed different emotions associated with binge eating: anger/frustration for BN and depression for BED patients. Objective binge eating frequency reduction across time was associated with lower impulsivity and shape concern in BN patients, and with lower emotional eating and depressive symptoms in BED patients. Lower subjective binge eating frequency at baseline predicted recovery, in both BN and BED patients. Recovery was associated with lower impulsivity and body shape concern at baseline for BN patients, and lower depression and emotional eating for BED patients. Conclusions: Eating psychopathology, psychiatric comorbidity, impulsivity and emotional eating have a different pattern of association with objective and subjective binge eating in BN and BED patients, and they act as different moderators of treatment. A different target of intervention for these two syndromes might be taken into account, and subjective binge eating deserves an accurate assessment.
The role of attainment value, academic self-efficacy, and message frame in the appraisal of value-promoting messages.

BACKGROUND Prior to high-stakes examinations, teachers may use value-promoting messages (VPMs) to communicate to students the value and importance of their forthcoming examinations in the hope that they will adopt adaptive learning and study behaviours. These messages can focus on achieving success (gain-framed) or avoiding failure (loss-framed). AIMS This study examined how secondary school students appraised hypothetical gain- and loss-framed VPMs, and how these appraisals differed according to self-reported levels of attainment value (AV) and academic self-efficacy (ASE). SAMPLES In total, 539 secondary school students (284 male, 255 female, mean age 14.8 years) were participated in this study. METHODS Participants completed self-report measures of AV and ASE and appraised hypothetical VPMs as challenging, threatening, or irrelevant (disregard). Participants were randomly assigned to a gain- or loss-framed condition. RESULTS A challenge appraisal was greater in students with higher AV and ASE. A threat appraisal was greater in students with higher AV and lower ASE. A disregard appraisal was higher in students with lower AV. Message frame did not interact with AV or ASE in the appraisal of VPMs as challenging, threatening, or irrelevant. CONCLUSIONS Educational practitioners should consider the characteristics of their students before using VPMs. In particular, they may not be effective for students high in AV and low in ASE. They are likely to be ineffective for students low in AV.
Attribution Error and the Quest for Teacher Quality

Social psychologists are persuaded that researchers as well as laymen tend to overestimate the influence of personal traits and underestimate the influence of situations on observed behavior. The author of this article suggests that education researchers and policy makers may be overestimating the role of personal qualities in their quest to understand teaching quality. In their effort to understand classroom-to-classroom differences in student learning, they may focus too much on the characteristics of teachers themselves, overlooking situational factors that may have a strong bearing on the quality of the teaching practices we see. The author reviews some of these situational forces.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac ganglia neurolysis vs. celiac plexus neurolysis: a randomized multicenter trial

Background and study aims: No prospective comparison of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided direct celiac ganglia neurolysis (EUS – CGN) vs. EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS – CPN) has been reported. The aim of the current study was to compare the effectiveness of EUS – CGN and EUS – CPN in providing pain relief from upper abdominal cancer pain in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Patients and methods: Patients with upper abdominal cancer pain were randomly assigned to treatment using either EUS – CGN or EUS – CPN. Evaluation was performed at Day 7 postoperatively using a pain scale of 0 to 10. Patients for whom pain decreased to ≤ 3 were considered to have a positive response, and those experiencing a decrease in pain to ≤ 1 were considered to be completely responsive. Comparison between the two groups was performed using intention-to-treat analysis. The primary endpoint was the difference in treatment response rates between EUS – CGN and EUS – CPN at postoperative Day 7. Secondary endpoints included differences in complete response rates, pain scores, duration of pain relief, and incidence of adverse effects. Results: A total of 34 patients were assigned to each group. Visualization of ganglia was possible in 30 cases (88 %) in the EUS – CGN group. The positive response rate was significantly higher in the EUS – CGN group (73.5 %) than in the EUS – CPN group (45.5 %; P = 0.026). The complete response rate was also significantly higher in the EUS – CGN group (50.0 %) than in the EUS – CPN group (18.2 %; P = 0.010). There was no difference in adverse events or duration of pain relief between the two groups. Conclusions: EUS – CGN is significantly superior to conventional EUS – CPN in cancer pain relief. Clinical trial registration: http://www.umin. ac.jp/ctr/index.htm (ID: UMIN-000002536)
Optical-Power Dependence of Gain, Noise, and Bandwidth Characteristics for 850-nm CMOS Silicon Avalanche Photodetectors

We investigate the effects of incident optical powers on the performance of 850-nm silicon avalanche photodetectors (APDs) realized with P+/N-well junctions in standard CMOS technology. The current-voltage characteristics, responsivities, avalanche gains, noise power spectral densities, excess noise factors, electrical reflection coefficients, and photodetection frequency responses of the fabricated CMOS-APD are measured for different incident optical powers. In addition, the photodetection frequency responses at different incident optical powers are modeled with equivalent circuits and the influence of the optical power on photodetection bandwidth is analyzed. From these, we show that, near the avalanche breakdown voltage, the CMOS-APD avalanche gain and excess noise factor increase and photodetection bandwidth decreases with decreasing incident optical power. These results should be very useful for realizing high-performance CMOS integrated optical receivers for various optical-interconnect applications.
Rectal Fecaloma: Successful Treatment Using Endoscopic Removal

Fecalomas are hard, laminated masses that sometimes contain calcification and are usually located in the sigmoid colon or rectum. Complications of fecalomas include constipation, ulceration, bleeding and perforation of the colon. Treatments include laxatives, enemas, rectal evacuation, surgical colotomy (which is required in patients with short-segment Hirschsprung disease), and endoscopic removal – as in the present patient. Impaired anorectal function arising from diabetic neuropathy may have caused the fecaloma in present patient. Dear Sir, A 78-year-old woman, who had been monitored because of diabetes mellitus for several decades, complained of constipation for 1 week. An abdominal X-ray examination showed that feces had filled the descending and sigmoid colon. An abdominal computed tomography examination showed an impacted fecal ball with calcification, 5 cm in size, in her rectum. We diagnosed her as having a fecaloma in her rectum. A colonoscopy revealed the rectal fecaloma to be black, smooth and ball-like in appearance ( fig. 1 ). The fecaloma was successfully removed endoscopically. Published online: September 20, 2007
A description of agitation in a nursing home.

Agitation is a significant problem for elderly persons, their families, and their caregivers. This study describes the agitated behaviors of 408 nursing home residents. Nurses who were familiar with the residents used a 7-point scale to rate how often each resident manifested 29 agitated behaviors. Each resident was rated independently by three nurses, one from each of the three nursing shifts. Results showed that agitated behaviors occurred most often during the day shift (i.e., when residents were most active), and least often during the night shift. The most frequently exhibited agitated behaviors were general restlessness, pacing, repetitious sentences, requests for attention, complaining, negativism, and cursing. Most agitated behaviors correlated significantly across shifts, suggesting that such behaviors occur and reoccur throughout the 24-hour day. Factor analysis yielded three syndromes of agitation: aggressive behavior, physically nonaggressive behavior, and verbally agitated behavior. These results provide a foundation for further studies of agitation in elderly persons.