Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of amniotic membrane de-epithelialization method on its biological properties and ability to promote limbal epithelial cell culture.

PURPOSE We characterized the de-epithelialized human amniotic membrane (HAM), and compared cell attachment and proliferation efficiencies. METHODS HAM was de-epithelialized by 20% ethanol (AHAM), 1.2 U/mL Dispase (DHAM), 0.02% EDTA (EHAM), 0.25% trypsin-EDTA (THAM), and 5 M urea (UHAM), respectively, followed by gentle scraping with a #15 blade. Surface topology, extracellular matrix (ECM), and growth factor content were characterized and compared to intact HAM by electron microscopies (EM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. Primary human limbal epithelial cells (LEC) attachment and proliferation efficiencies were assayed. Statistical significance was calculated by SPSS and Fisher's least significant difference test. RESULTS EHAM, THAM, and UHAM had intact basal lamina and smooth basement membrane surface shown under transmission and scanning EM, and AFM. Cell remnants stayed on AHAM. Disrupted basement membrane and stroma was found in DHAM. Immunostaining intensity quantification and hierarchical clustering revealed that ECM composition of EHAM and UHAM resembled intact HAM. In contrast, DHAM and THAM had drastic loss of ECM and growth factor content. LEC attachment efficiency at 24 hours after seeding was the highest in EHAM (51% as on conventional culture surface), followed by UHAM and AHAM. However, cell proliferation indices at day 10 of culture were similar among different HAM substrates, suggesting repair of ECM and basement membrane by growing epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS Urea denudation preserved the basement membrane integrity, ECM, and growth factor composition, and had higher cell attachment and proliferation efficiencies. With its short processing time, urea treatment offers a novel alternative for HAM de-epithelialization.
Acceptability of voluntary HIV testing by pregnant women in developing countries: an international survey

Objective:To evaluate acceptability of voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT) by pregnant women in the context of clinical trials assessing interventions to reduce mother-to-child transmission (MCT) of HIV in developing countries. Methods:During September-October 1997, 13 studies located in West (Abidjan, Bobo Dioulasso), East (Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar Es Salaam, Blantyre, Lusaka, Harare) and South Africa (Soweto, Durban), and Thailand (Bangkok) were included in a cross-sectional mailing survey about the acceptability of VCT in antenatal clinics. Acceptance rate, return rate, overall acceptability of VCT (acceptance of both pre- and post-VCT sessions) were obtained using a standardized questionnaire. Results:The median overall acceptability of VCT was 69% (range, 33–95%). Overall acceptability of VCT most frequently depended on return rates because acceptance rates were generally high. Where several studies were conducted in parallel in the same city or the same country, overall acceptability rates of HIV testing were generally comparable even if the intervention programmes differed. Overall acceptability rates of VCT were high in antenatal clinics where a particular effort in implementing VCT programmes had been made. Conclusions:This international survey shows that despite many obstacles, VCT is feasible and acceptable for pregnant women aiming to reduce their risk of transmitting HIV to their children.
The German whitefish market: An application of the LA/AIDS model using retail-scanner-data

ABSTRACT Whitefish is one of the largest segments in the global seafood market. The whitefish market includes traditional wild-caught species; cod, pollock and Alaska pollock, and the more recent introduction of aquaculture species; pangasius and tilapia. This study specifically addresses price elasticity estimates for wild and aquacultured whitefish on the German market. For demand estimation, the general form of the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) with linear approximation (LA) is used. The demand for whitefish on the German market is found to be relatively elastic. The uncompensated cross-price elasticities indicate substantial substitution between pangasius and the three wild species, yet tilapia does not seem to be a part of the larger whitefish market in Germany.
Photocatalytic Performance of a Novel MOF/BiFeO3 Composite

In this study, MOF/BiFeO3 composite (MOF, metal-organic framework) has been synthesized successfully through a one-pot hydrothermal method. The MOF/BiFeO3 composite samples, pure MOF samples and BiFeO3 samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and by UV–vis spectrophotometry. The results and analysis reveal that MOF/BiFeO3 composite has better photocatalytic behavior for methylene blue (MB) compared to pure MOF and pure BiFeO3. The enhancement of photocatalytic performance should be due to the introduction of MOF change the surface morphology of BiFeO3, which will increase the contact area with MB. This composing strategy of MOF/BiFeO3 composite may bring new insight into the designing of highly efficient photocatalysts.
Stress and hypertension — a critical review

Recurrent psychosomatic stress has been popularly thought to cause permanent hypertension by repeated reactive blood pressure elevations. These are considered by some to be caused by various mechanisms, including an increased sympathetic outflow and a decreased parasympathetic inhibition, or possibly an inborn functional abnormality in the walls of the resistance vessels, which becomes a structural abnormality as a result of the elevated pressure. Recent work, however, has questioned some of these concepts. Many of the assumptions in the past concerning the ill‐ effects of elevated blood pressure have been based on clinic or office readings. With the more widespread use of ambulatory monitoring, first developed in the 1960s, information has accumulated which has helped to clarify the predictive value of such office readings. Ambulatory monitoring has also given much information about the relationship between daily activities, blood pressure reactivity and the mean daily blood pressure level. It appears that only the mean daily level is related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Variations in blood pressure in response to bodily and mental activity are not so related. Nor has it been shown that variability is a precursor of fixed hypertension. The role of laboratory stressors is discussed to see whether they are predictive of future hypertension and whether they reflect real life situations. Clinical studies of the relationship between stress and hypertension and, in particular, specific causes of stress such as anxiety and hostility are considered. It is concluded that there is no satisfactory evidence that psychosocial stress leads to the elevation of the mean daily blood pressure with its pathogenic connotations.
Effect of fluticasone with and without salmeterol on pulmonary outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) and long-acting beta(2)-agonists (LABAs) are used to treat moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVE To determine whether long-term ICS therapy, with and without LABAs, reduces inflammation and improves pulmonary function in COPD. DESIGN Randomized, placebo-controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00158847) SETTING 2 university medical centers in The Netherlands. PATIENTS 114 steroid-naive current or former smokers with moderate to severe COPD. MEASUREMENTS Cell counts in bronchial biopsies and sputum (primary outcome); methacholine responsiveness at baseline, 6, and 30 months; and clinical outcomes every 3 months. INTERVENTION Random assignment by minimization method to receive fluticasone propionate, 500 microg twice daily, for 6 months (n = 31) or 30 months (n = 26); fluticasone, 500 microg twice daily, and salmeterol, 50 microg twice daily, for 30 months (single inhaler; n = 28); or placebo twice daily (n = 29). RESULTS 101 patients were greater than 70% adherent to therapy. Fluticasone therapy decreased counts of mucosal CD3(+) cells (-55% [95% CI, -74% to -22%]; P = 0.004), CD4(+) cells (-78% [CI, -88% to 60%]; P < 0.001), CD8(+) cells (-57% [CI, -77% to -18%]; P = 0.010), and mast cells (-38% [CI, -60% to -2%]; P = 0.039) and reduced hyperresponsiveness (P = 0.036) versus placebo at 6 months, with effects maintained after 30 months. Fluticasone therapy for 30 months reduced mast cell count and increased eosinophil count and percentage of intact epithelium, with accompanying reductions in sputum neutrophil, macrophage, and lymphocyte counts and improvements in FEV(1) decline, dyspnea, and quality of life. Reductions in inflammatory cells correlated with clinical improvements. Discontinuing fluticasone therapy at 6 months increased counts of CD3(+) cells (120% [CI, 24% to 289%]; P = 0.007), mast cells (218% [CI, 99% to 407%]; P < 0.001), and plasma cells (118% [CI, 9% to 336%]; P = 0.028) and worsened clinical outcome. Adding salmeterol improved FEV(1) level. LIMITATIONS The study was not designed to evaluate clinical outcomes. Measurement of primary outcome was not available for 24% of patients at 30 months. CONCLUSION ICS therapy decreases inflammation and can attenuate decline in lung function in steroid-naive patients with moderate to severe COPD. Adding LABAs does not enhance these effects.
Epigenomic programming contributes to the genomic drift evolution of the F-Box protein superfamily in Arabidopsis

Significance Gene families significantly influence organismal diversity and adaptation, but how they evolved and are controlled is not fully clear. Using the Arabidopsis F-Box protein superfamily as a model, we show that both genomic and epigenomic forces are consequential with reversible, suppressive chromatin marks potentially helping dampen the adverse effects of altered gene dosage and the emergence of deleterious alleles. Such forces might be relevant to other highly polymorphic gene families impacted by genomic drift evolution. Comparisons within expanding sequence databases have revealed a dynamic interplay among genomic and epigenomic forces in driving plant evolution. Such forces are especially obvious within the F-Box (FBX) superfamily, one of the largest and most polymorphic gene families in land plants, where its frequent lineage-specific expansions and contractions provide an excellent model to assess how genetic variation impacted gene function before and after speciation. Previous phylogenetic comparisons based on orthology, diversity, and expression patterns identified three plant FBX groups—Common, Lineage-Specific, and Pseudo(genized)—whose emergences are consistent with genomic drift evolution. Here, we examined this variance within Arabidopsis thaliana by evaluating SNPs for all 877 FBX loci from 432 naturally occurring accessions and their relationships to variations in natural selection, expression, and DNA/histone methylation. In line with their phenotypic importance, Common FBX loci have low polymorphism but high deleterious mutation rates indicative of stringent functional constraints. In contrast, the Lineage-Specific and Pseudo groups are enriched in genes with basal expression and higher SNP density and more correlated with methylation marks (RNA-directed DNA methylation and histone H3K27 trimethylation) that promote transcriptional silencing. Taken together, we propose that reversible epigenomic modifications helped shape FBX gene evolution by transcriptionally suppressing the adverse effects of gene dosage imbalance and harmful FBX alleles that arise during genomic drift, while simultaneously allowing innovations to emerge through epigenomic reprogramming.
Just-in-case to justified irrigation: Applying co-innovation principles to irrigation water management

A pilot study, using a co-innovation approach in identify opportunities to improve irrigation management, is underway in five farms in an irrigation scheme in New Zealand. Through a process of co-learning, a group of on-farm and off-farm stakeholders defined the problem of on-farm water use efficiency and co-developed solutions to enhance farmers’ ability, desire and capacity to adopt improved irrigation practices. To enable informed decision-making, participants were supplied with current soil water demand (measured on farm) and 2- to 15-day rainfall forecasts as a daily email update. We conducted several one-on-one formal/informal meetings and annual workshops with stakeholders to evaluate the farmers’ ability in integrating the updates into their current irrigation practices. Selected key findings were (i) on-farm irrigation decisions are influenced by on-farm and off-farm hydrological, climatic, infrastructural and regulatory factors, thus we need to develop a wider view to irrigation management, (ii) for successful uptake, it is important to understand the external stimuli that directly and indirectly conflict or align with proposed practice changes, (iii) introduction of stakeholders with conflicting perspectives needs to be carefully managed, (iv) with co-learning, project objectives continuously evolve in response to ongoing monitoring, review and reflection on the processes, thus it is important to build flexibility into the implementation pathway and (v) when scaling out from five farms to the wider irrigation scheme, opportunities such as collective learning and reflection at end-user focused workshops may become more challenging owing to stakeholder numbers, thus other co-learning opportunities need to be identified.
AC133 Expression in Egyptian Children With Acute Leukemia: Impact on Treatment Response and Disease Outcome

AC133 antigen is expressed restrictively in the immature subset of the CD34+ cells. Hence, it is expected to be a valuable prognostic marker in acute leukemia. Sixty Egyptian children with acute leukemia were enrolled into this prospective study divided into 2 groups: 30 acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) and 30 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. Flow cytometric assessment of AC133 expression was performed on CD34bright blast cells. AC133 was expressed in 66.7% and 40% of AML and ALL patients, respectively. AC133-positive expression was not associated with any of the studied standard prognostic factors. In AML, 80% of patients with poor clinical outcome (relapse or death) were positive for AC133 expression, whereas, all ALL patients who developed resistance as well as those who displayed poor clinical outcome had AC133-positive expression (P<0.05). Patients with positive AC133 expression had significantly shorter overall and disease-free survival times compared with AC133-negative patients in both ALL (P<0.001) and AML (P<0.05) groups. AC133 expression percentage was a reliable poor prognostic marker in ALL patients (P<0.0001). AC133-positive expression is an independent poor prognostic factor in childhood acute leukemia and could characterize a group of patients with resistance to standard chemotherapy, as well as high incidence of relapse and death.
Mid-infrared supercontinuum generation spanning 2.0 to 15.1  μm in a chalcogenide step-index fiber.

We experimentally demonstrate mid-infrared (MIR) supercontinuum (SC) generation spanning ∼2.0 to 15.1 μm in a 3 cm-long chalcogenide step-index fiber. The pump source is generated by the difference frequency generation with a pulse width of ∼170 fs, a repetition rate of ∼1000 Hz, and a wavelength range tunable from 2.4 to 11 μm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the broadest MIR SC generation observed so far in optical fibers. It facilitates fiber-based applications in sensing, medical, and biological imaging areas.
Evaluation of three immunofluorescence assays for culture confirmation and typing of herpes simplex virus

Three pairs of monoclonal antibodies, supplied in kits by Electro-Nucleonics, Inc. (ENI), The Syva Co., and Kallestad Laboratories, Inc. (KL), were evaluated for the laboratory confirmation and typing of herpes simplex virus (HSV). Of 108 coded HSV slide preparation, run in parallel with each monoclonal-antibody set, 103 were equivalent by the immunofluorescence assays. Among the five discordant isolates, three (2.8%) did not type with the KL monoclonal antibodies and two (1.9%) false-positive results occurred with the Syva typing system. All of the HSV clinical isolates tested were correctly typed with the ENI indirect immunofluorescence antigen detection system. Typing confirmation of the five discordant HSV isolates was performed by differential sensitivity to 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine and endonuclease cleavage analysis of the viral DNA. Use of the Syva and KL direct immunofluorescence antigen detection systems for the identification of HSV isolates is less time-consuming than use of the ENI indirect antigen detection system; however, sensitivity and specificity may be lost.
Serum Dopamine Beta‐Hydroxylase Activity as an Index of Sympathetic Activity

D oPAMINE-/-hydr0Xylase (DBH) is the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine.1’2 It is found in the cateeholamine-containing storage vesicles in sympathetic nerve terminals and in the chromaffin granules of the adrenal medulla. The demonstration of DBH activity in human and rat serum has led to the hypothesis that DBH is released from sympathetic nerves, the adrenal medulla, or both, along with catecholamines, and might be an index of the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.3 Our objective in this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of serum DBH activity as an index of sympathetic-adrenal function. To do this, we did enzymatic determinations of serum DBH activity in the rat following swimming stress; and in man with postural changes, during cold pressor testing and handgrip isometric exercise and following coffee drinking, cigarette smoking, and ketamine anesthesia. All of these stresses and drugs are known to increase sympathetic nervous system activity. We also compared levels in patients with normal and elevated blood pressure, since there is evidence of excess
Evolvement of French advanced practice nurses

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to chronicle the development of the advanced practice nurse (APN) in France and compare international APN indictors of quality care with French studies. Data sources: A review of the literature was performed by accessing the MEDLINE, Science Direct, and Cochrane Databases for studies of quality of care by APNs during 1965–2012. The author's participation on a national task force in collaboration with the French Ministry of Health provided additional information. Conclusions: After applying limits of this search, 36 studies fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria. In both the French and international APN nursing literature, the most frequently described quality of care measures were level of patient satisfaction and other patient outcomes (clinical and laboratory measures) according to evidence‐based guidelines. In three French studies (nephrology, neuro‐oncology, and urology settings), nurses performed direct patient care and were legally permitted to take on some limited responsibilities usually held by French physicians, including clinical examinations, diagnosing, and prescribing. Implications for practice: Creation of the APN role in France can respond to public health challenges including the rising incidence of chronic diseases and an impending physician shortage. Future APN research should focus on rigorous, innovative design development including collaborative care models.
Composite right/left handed transmission line phase shifter using ferroelectric varactors

A composite right/left handed (CRLH) transmission line (TL) phase shifter, using ferroelectric (Ba/sub 0.25/Sr/sub 0.75/TiO/sub 3/) varactors as tunable element, is presented for the first time. It is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated how the unique features of CRLH TLs, enables a differential phase shift with flat frequency dependence around the center frequency. The experimental prototype is a coplanar design integrated on a high resistive Si substrate. It includes four CRLH T-unit cells and has a physical length of 3850/spl mu/m. The ferroelectric varactors are realized in parallel plate version. Under 15-V dc bias applied over each varactor, the differential phase shift is flat around 17GHz and has an absolute value of 50/spl deg/.
IN NURSING PRACTICE Chronic illness self-management : locating the ‘ self ’

Correspondence: Tina Koch, RDNS Research Unit, 31 Flemington Street, Glenside, South Australia 5065. E-mail: Koch.tina@rdns.sa. gov.au KOCH T. , JENKIN P. & KRALIK D. (2004) Journal of Advanced Nursing 48(5), 484–492 Chronic illness self-management: locating the ‘self’ Aim. In this paper, we present the findings of a recent research project in which we explored selfmanagement with older people who were diagnosed with asthma. Background. Asthma self-management literature has focused on the need for the patient to ‘adhere’ to prescribed therapies, in particular the taking of medications, monitoring of respiratory function or recognizing and avoiding triggers. Method. Data were generated during a period of 9 months from three sources; in-depth interviews with 24 older participants, an open-ended questionnaire and two mixed-gender participatory action research groups. Findings. Based on current literature, our previous research findings which have ‘unpacked’ what is ‘self’-management, and data generated in this project, we propose that three asthma management models are in operation: Medical Model of Self-management, Collaborative Model of Self-management and Self-Agency Model of Self-management. Locating the ‘self’ in self-management means acknowledging that many people living with a chronic condition are already self-determining and their expertise should be acknowledged as such. Conclusion. Health care professionals can best facilitate people toward self-agency by embracing new understandings of self-management in long-term illness. This process is enhanced when the expertise a person brings to the management of their condition is given the respect it deserves. There needs to be a focus on providing people with the means to grow and learn in a participative relationship that cannot be fully realized with ‘off the shelf’ self-management solutions.
What You See Is What You Remember: Visual Chunking by Temporal Integration Enhances Working Memory

Human memory benefits from information clustering, which can be accomplished by chunking. Chunking typically relies on expertise and strategy, and it is unknown whether perceptual clustering over time, through temporal integration, can also enhance working memory. The current study examined the attentional and working memory costs of temporal integration of successive target stimulus pairs embedded in rapid serial visual presentation. ERPs were measured as a function of behavioral reports: One target, two separate targets, or two targets reported as a single integrated target. N2pc amplitude, reflecting attentional processing, depended on the actual number of successive targets. The memory-related CDA and P3 components instead depended on the perceived number of targets irrespective of their actual succession. The report of two separate targets was associated with elevated amplitude, whereas integrated as well as actual single targets exhibited lower amplitude. Temporal integration thus provided an efficient means of processing sensory input, offloading working memory so that the features of two targets were consolidated and maintained at a cost similar to that of a single target.