Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Repulsive Guidance Molecule (RGMa), a DRAGON Homologue, Is a Bone Morphogenetic Protein Co-receptor*

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily of ligands, which regulate many mammalian physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. BMPs exert their effects through type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors and the Smad intracellular signaling pathway. Recently, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein DRAGON was identified as a co-receptor for BMP signaling. Here, we investigate whether a homologue of DRAGON, repulsive guidance molecule (RGMa), is similarly involved in the BMP signaling pathway. We show that RGMa enhances BMP, but not TGF-β, signals in a ligand-dependent manner in cell culture. The soluble extracellular domain of RGMa fused to human Fc (RGMa.Fc) forms a complex with BMP type I receptors and binds directly and selectively to radiolabeled BMP-2 and BMP-4. RGMa mediates BMP signaling through the classical BMP signaling pathway involving Smad1, 5, and 8, and it up-regulates endogenous inhibitor of differentiation (Id1) protein, an important downstream target of BMP signals. Finally, we demonstrate that BMP signaling occurs in neurons that express RGMa in vivo. These data are consistent with a role for RGMa as a BMP co-receptor.
Patients' and relatives' experiences and perspectives of 'Good' and 'Not so Good' quality care.

AIMS To explore patients' and relatives' perceptions of care and identify key criteria used to evaluate quality care, via descriptions of actual care experiences. METHOD A qualitative approach using Grounded Theory was adopted; data collected by semistructured interviews, from a purposive sample of 34 acute medical patients and 7 relatives, was subjected to question and thematic analysis. FINDINGS The nature of the care provided and interpersonal aspects of caring emerged as key quality issues for patients. Good Quality Care was characterized as individualized, patient focused and related to need; it was provided humanistically, through the presence of a caring relationship by staff who demonstrated involvement, commitment and concern. Care described as 'Not so Good' was routine, unrelated to need and delivered in an impersonal manner, by distant staff who did not know or involve patients. CONCLUSIONS Empirical evidence was found which support these findings, which are in opposition of the received view that patients place greater emphasis on the technical aspects of care tasks. The quality issues identified as important by patients and relatives in this study are not always evaluated in care audits. Those responsible for evaluating health care quality might consider combining traditional (professional/technical) audit criteria with those used by health care users to achieve a more comprehensive evaluation.
Transfer of brachioradialis motor branch to the anterior interosseous nerve in C8‐T1 brachial plexus palsy. An anatomic study

We present an anatomical and histomorphometric study of the transfer of the motor branch to the brachioradialis muscle to the anterior interosseous nerve in recent brachial plexus lesions, involving C8 and T1 roots. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the anatomic constancy of the nerves involved in the transfer, feasibility, and reproducibility of the transfer. We performed a study of 14 elbows in fresh cadavers. Transfer of the motor branch of the brachioradialis muscle to the anterior interosseous nerve was possible in all specimens; there was constancy in the origin and entry into the muscle of the donor nerve, and it was always possible to dissect the recipient nerve at the level of the donor nerve, thereby allowing for direct coaptation of the nerves. The mean diameter of the anterior interosseous nerve was 2.9 ± 0.5 mm and the mean diameter of the brachioradialis muscle branch was 2 ± 0.4 mm. The branch to the brachioradialis muscle contains an average of 550 ± 64 myelinated axons and the anterior interosseous nerve has an average of 2266 ± 274 myelinated axons. The anatomic study in cadavers showed that the technique is justified and anatomically reproducible. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.
Comparison of associative and non‐associative conditioning procedures in the induction of LTD in CA1 of the hippocampus

Recent reports have indicated that weak activity in a test input, negatively correlated (out‐of‐phase) with tetanization of a separate, converging input, produces an NMDA‐independent, associative long‐term depression (LTD) of the test input synapses, in hippocampal field CA1 (Stanton and Sejnowski, 1989; Stanton et al., 1991). Associative LTD has also been observed in the dentate gyrus, in vivo, but only following “priming” of the test path with 5 Hz stimulation prior to associative conditioning (Christie and Abraham, 1992b). We have used these stimulus protocols, in vitro, in order to compare the induction of non‐associative and associative LTD in field CA1 of the adult rat hippocampus. Stimulation in normal solution evoked a small non‐associative LTD, but no associative LTD. Addition of picrotoxin to the medium facilitated the induction of NMDA‐dependent non‐associative LTD, but not associative LTD. Previously potentiated pathways were not different from naïve pathways in expression of LTD of either kind. Finally, ‘priming’ stimulation (5 Hz) of the test pathway produced a weak, selective enhancement of associative LTD that was, however, not significantly greater than non‐associative LTD. These results indicate that, for our experimental conditions, negatively correlated co‐activity during afferent tetanization does not induce a substantial associative LTD in area CA1. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
BIODISTRIBUTION AND PDT EFFICACY OF A KETOCHLORIN PHOTOSENSITIZER AS A FUNCTION OF THE DELIVERY VEHICLE

Abstract C8KC is a new ketochlorin photosensitizer that must be formulated with an emulsifier because of its poor water solubility. In this report, we compare properties of Cremophor EL (CRM) and Tween 80 as delivery vehicles for C8KC. Unlike Tween 80, CRM altered the physical properties of both human and mouse plasma lipoproteins, resulting in decreased electrophoretic mobility of the individual lipoproteins along with the formation of a l ipoprotein degradation product: a phospholipid fraction of low buoyant density. In human plasma, where there was sufficient low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) for a distinction to be made, CRM caused a shift in binding of a ketochlorin from albumin to LDL and the degraded lipoprotein fraction. In mice bearing the RIF tumor, the use of CRM for drug formulation was associated with longer plasma and tissue persistence of C8KC, and enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy. These results indicate the importance of both sensitizer and vehicle as determinants of PDT efficacy.
Techno-optimism or Information Imperialism: Paradoxes in Online Networking, Social Media and Development

In recent years, the world of social media and online networking has met with the world of international development, leading to rapid changes in development practice and to the emergence of new fields of study. Proponents of this change argue that the Internet provides the tools for global cooperation and participation. However, the reality is less clear, with critics asserting that much of the Information and Communication Technology and networking discourse and practice is rooted in past approaches to development. This reflects a wider debate about whether ICT provides space for alternative views and social movements, or if it represents a new form of networked “information colonialism. ” Drawing on ethnographic research with the online development-oriented network projecthonduras.com, this paper reflects on these debates, and on the wider implications of social media in development practice. An early model of peer-to-peer collaboration in development, projecthonduras.com has over a decade of networking experience and has been the catalyst for many connections and encounters, which have, at times, literally saved lives. However, while research with this network highlights some potential for disintermediated and inclusive networking, it also provides an example of a conventional development approach operating within an online space, and illustrates the impact of digital exclusion and homophily. Using the networking concepts of disintermediation, participation and diversity/homophily, this paper explores the structure and discourse of projecthonduras.com and illustrates the paradoxical nature of ICT and social media in development, providing a cautionary note to those who look to social media to provide answers to contemporary development dilemmas.
Function of Arabidopsis SWAP70 GEF in immune response

In animals, major classes of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) possess a Dbl (diffuse B-cell lymphoma)- homology (DH) domain that functions as a GEF-catalytic domain. However, no GEFs with the DH domain had been identified in plants. Recently, we found that the rice homolog of human SWAP70, Oryza sative (Os) SWAP70, containing the DH domain, exhibited GEF activity toward the rice Rho GTPase OsRac1, and regulates chitin-induced production of reactive oxygen species and defense gene expression in rice.1 Arabidopsis contains a single SWAP70 gene. A T-DNA insertion mutant of Arabidopsis SWAP70 was morphologically wild type. Measurement of in planta growth of Pseudomonas syringae DC3000 hrcC, a mutant incapable of type III effector delivery, revealed enhanced growth of the pathogen in the atswap70 mutant, indicating that AtSWAP70 is required for PAMP-triggered immunity. In addition, the atswap70 mutation reduced the RPM1-mediated hypersensitive response. These results suggested that AtSWAP70 plays a role in both PAMP- and effector-triggered immunity in Arabidopsis.
Major differences in the spectrum of gastrointestinal infections associated with AIDS in India versus the west: an autopsy study.

The spectrum of bowel infections in patients with AIDS in India is not well characterized. To examine this spectrum of infections, an autopsy study of 49 subjects was carried out. Multiple sections were obtained from the gastrointestinal tract. A pathogenic organism was detected in 25 (71%) of 35 patients with diarrhea vs. 4 (29%) of 14 patients without diarrhea (P < .01). The most frequent pathogen was cytomegalovirus (in 13; 27%), followed by parasites (9; 18%), fungi (8; 16%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (7; 14%). This is the first autopsy study of patients with AIDS in the Indian subcontinent and shows important differences in the profile of their opportunistic infections compared with those of such patients in the West. These findings will help define the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to patients with AIDS, which, in view of the considerable budgetary restrictions in developing countries, should be targeted toward the pathogens most frequently identified in such areas.
A CONFIRMATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS OF THE CHILDREN’S REPORT OF SLEEP PATTERNS BY KATRINA

Sleep is essential for learning, memory, neurobehavioral functioning, and emotion regulation. The importance of sleep in children has led to the creation of numerous sleep assessment instruments. However, there is a dearth of validated self-report measures. In an attempt to fill the gap, the Children’s Report of Sleep Patterns (CRSP) was developed for children ages 8-12. Despite its apparent strengths, the initial validation of the complete CRSP in this age group reported a number of scales and indices that were not empirically evaluated and only Cronbach alphas were reported. To further explore the psychometric properties of the CRSP in school-aged children, factor analysis is necessary to understand the latent structure, as well as the relationships among the constructs. The purpose of this study was to examine the first-order factor structure of the Sleepiness Scale and the Sleep Disturbances Scales of the CRSP in a sample of preadolescent children. As an exploratory aim, the degree to which the five scales contributed to a higher-order Sleep Problems Total Score was examined. Participants were 3-5 grade children recruited from two elementary schools (N = 109). Results of the current study revealed that the hypothesized first-order factor structure is not supported and several modifications are necessary to achieve acceptable model fit. Based on modifications from the first-order model, the Sleep Problems Total Score was derived, achieving high internal consistency. Therefore, it is recommended that the Sleep Problems Total Score be calculated and used in conjunction with other scales obtained from the CRSP. Despite promising findings, researchers and clinicians interested in using the CRSP should continue to assess its validity by exploring the relationship between the measure and objective measures of sleep patterns and behavior.
[Determination of tanshinone IIA in rat plasma and the pharmacokinetics by RP-HPLC method].

AIM To develop a sensitive and rapid HPLC method for the determination of tanshinone IIA (TS) in rat plasma and to study its pharmacokinetics in rats. METHODS TS and 4-chlorodiphenyl (internal standard) were extracted from plasma with ethyl acetate. After liquid-liquid extraction, the sample was analyzed by HPLC with YMC C18 column (5 microns, 150 mm x 3.0 mm ID). The mobile phase consisted of acetontrile-water-acetic acid (74:26:1) at the flow rate of 0.3 mL.min-1, the UV detection wave length was 270 nm. RESULTS The calibration curve was linear (r = 0.9981) in the range from 0.05 to 6.40 mg.L-1. The lowest detectable concentration was 0.05 mg.L-1. The recoveries at the concentration of 0.05, 1.60 and 6.40 mg.L-1 were 98.9%, 102.1% and 100.4%, respectively. The inter- and intra-day RSDs were all less than 5%. CONCLUSION This method is proved to be rapid, precise and reliable enough to be applied to the pharmacokinetics studies of TS in rats after a single dose of 15 mg.kg-1 by oral administration.
Techniques to facilitate ERCP with a conventional endoscope in patients with previous pancreatoduodenectomy

There is little guidance on the performance of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with previous pancreatoduodenectomy. We reviewed techniques for ERCP with a conventional endoscope and assessed its value in 10 patients with previous pancreatoduodenectomy (15 ERCPs). After exploration of the surgical reconstruction, we used a front-viewing endoscope, and we used a small firm pillow under the abdomen and hand compression for preventing loop formation. Successful insertion to the ductal anastomoses and biliary cannulation were achieved in 13 / 15 procedures (87 %). In 6 procedures where we attempted pancreatic cannulation, we could not identify the pancreatojejunostomy, but after spraying contrast around the suspected location of the ductal anastomosis we obtained a pancreatogram in 4 / 6 procedures (67 %). Endoscopic biliary interventions were successful in 6 / 7 procedures (86 %). No complications were encountered. Use of appropriate techniques makes ERCP with a conventional endoscope feasible, effective, and safe in patients with previous pancreatoduodenectomy. Endoscopic therapy can be performed successfully in the bile duct, but has limited value regarding the pancreatic duct.
The Gender and Poverty Impacts of Trade Liberalization in Senegal

Developing countries are deeply engaged in trade negotiations at the bilateral, regional and international (WTO) levels. As imports, exports and tariff duties all occupy an important part of their economies, far-reaching impacts on production, labor and capital markets, household incomes and, perhaps most importantly, economic growth will indubitably ensue. As men and women occupy very different roles in these economies, particularly in terms of the import and export orientation of the sectors in which they work, they will be affected very differently by these reforms. To anticipate these changes, a dynamic economy-wide model is developed with an application to Senegal. Whereas most similar existing studies consider the comparative static resource reallocation effects of trade reforms, ours is the first to focus on the growth effects (“dynamic gains from trade”), which are thought to be possibly much larger. The trade-productivity link is revealed to be the strongest growth channel, raising GDP by over three percentage points by the end of our 15 year simulation period. Trade liberalization is found to increase the gender wage gap in favor of men, especially among unskilled workers, as men are more active in export-oriented sectors such as cash crops and mining whereas women contribute more to import-competing sectors such as food crops. Furthermore, the ensuing growth effects further widen the over-all gender wage gap, as the productivity gains from increased openness are greatest in female-intensive sectors in which imports rise markedly. Thus, this suggests the need to implement policies aimed at increasing both unskilled and skilled women’s exposure in labor-intensive export industries, which is currently male dominated. A linked microsimulation analysis, based on a survey of Senegalese households, show that trade liberalization reduces poverty in Senegal, particularly in rural areas. While the fall in the relative wages of rural workers would initially lead us to believe that rural households would lose the most from trade liberalization, they are in fact compensated by greater consumer price savings, given that they consume more goods from the initially protected agricultural and agro-industrial sectors.
Reciprocal Ia inhibition between elbow flexors and extensors in the human.

1. Reciprocal inhibition between elbow flexor and extensor muscles (biceps and triceps brachii) has been investigated in nine healthy subjects. Two techniques were used to assess changes in motoneurone excitability after stimulation of antagonist muscle afferents: (1) monosynaptic reflexes elicited by a mechanical stimulation of the distal muscle tendon (tendon tap); (2) post‐stimulus time histograms (PSTH) of voluntarily activated motor units. 2. Electrical stimulation of the antagonist muscle nerve produced a short‐latency and short‐lasting inhibition of the flexor and extensor motoneurones. The amount of this inhibition was found to be similar in both motor nuclei. 3. The inhibition could be evoked with conditioning electrical stimuli as low as 0.7 x motor threshold (MT) or by very weak tendon taps applied to the antagonist tendon. In the former case the threshold of this inhibition was found to be consistently increased after raising the threshold of Ia afferent fibres by a long‐lasting muscle vibration. Since a contribution from cutaneous afferent fibres was ruled out, it is concluded that this inhibition was Ia in origin. 4. Post‐stimulus time histograms of voluntarily activated triceps and biceps motor units were made following electrical stimulation of homonymous and antagonist muscle afferents. This enabled an estimate of the central synaptic delay of the inhibitory process. An average central delay of 0.94 ms in excess of that of monosynaptic facilitation was found, thus suggesting that the inhibitory process could be mediated by only one interneurone. 5. A conditioning reflex discharge elicited in the antagonist muscle by a tendon tap depressed or suppressed this inhibition. This depression was maximal when the reflex discharge was elicited 10‐20 ms before the conditioning stimulus for the inhibition and never lasted more than 30 ms. It is argued that the only mechanism compatible with such a depression is the inhibitory activity of Renshaw cells acting on the pathway mediating reciprocal inhibition. 6. We conclude that group Ia afferent fibres from elbow extensor and flexor muscles project monosynaptically onto Ia inhibitory interneurones to mediate disynaptic reciprocal inhibition of antagonist motoneurones.
Daily consensus interferon (CIFN) monotherapy in non-responders or relapsers to a previous interferon regime: one year follow-up after 48 weeks of treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Data suggests on the basis of thrice a week therapy, efficacy of mono consensus interferon is comparable to other alpha interferons. One-year follow-up after 12-month daily consensus interferon monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C among non-responders or relapsers to previous consensus interferon monotherapy is investigated. METHODS Between February and August 1998, 11 non-cirrhotic patients with previous consensus interferon failure were treated. Six were relapsers and five non-responders. Serum HCV-RNA was tested at the 12th and 48th weeks of treatment and followed for one year thereafter. RESULTS Eight (72%) were HCV-RNA negative at both 12th and 48th weeks. Of these, 60% (3/5) were among previous non-responders and 83% (5/6) were among previous relapsers. One year sustained virological response was 55%. Of this, 40% (2/5) were among non-responders and 66% (4/6) previous relapsers. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that daily consensus interferon needs to be further investigated as an alternative to pegylated formulations, especially with the addition of ribavirin.
Augmented Platelet Aggregation as Predictor of Reocclusion after Thrombolysis in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Summary Rationale. Reocclusion after thrombolysis diminishes the benefits of early reperfusion after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). No clinical or laboratory variables have been identified as predictors for reocclusion yet. Methods and results. To evaluate hemostatic variables as potential risk determinants platelet aggregation (PA, representing platelet activity), thrombin/antithrombin complexes (TAT, representing thrombin generation), and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1, representing endogenous fibrinolysis) were determined in 31 patients with AMI at 0, 1, 2, and 12 h after the start of thrombolysis as well as at hospital discharge. Reocclusion (defined as reinfarction or angiographically confirmed, clinically silent coronary reocclusion) occurred in 5 patients within 5-14 days and in 8 patients within 1 year. TAT plasma concentrations were lower in patients with reocclusion than in those without (9.9 ± 5.7 vs. 22.9 ± 22.2 ng/ml at 2 h, 6.5 ± 3.1 vs. 11.2 ± 6.4 ng/ml at 12 h, means ± SD, p <0.05 each). Neither concentration nor activity of PAI-1 in plasma differed between both patient groups. However, both slope and maximum of PA (induced by 2 μmol/l ADP) were augmented in patients with reocclusion (slope: 39.4 ± 1.7 vs. 32.5 ± 7.4 at 2 h, p <0.001; 42.6 ± 2.6 vs. 36.6 ± 8.9 at 12 h, p <0.01). Results were independent of the thrombolytic agent used (alteplase or reteplase). A PA slope at 2 h higher than the average slope before thrombolysis (37.2 ± 5.7) could be identified as best predictor for early (within 5-14 d, p = 0.017, sensitivity 1.00, specificity 0.69) and late reocclusion (within 1 y, p=0.009, 0.88 and 0.74, respectively). Conclusions. Increased PA following coronary thrombolysis appears to be associated with early and late reocclusion. This marker could be useful in identifying patients who may benefit from more aggressive anti-platelet (such as GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists), interventional, or both strategies.