Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for Teaching: What Are Faculty Using?

ABSTRACT The benefit of engaging in evidence‐based teaching practice (EBTP) is to identify and implement best practices in nursing education. Unfortunately, nursing education has made little forward movement in identifying the evidence upon which faculty base their teaching practices. A national online survey of 295 nurse educators from 86 programs revealed the evidence they use in their teaching practices as well as the facilitators and barriers to EBTP.The majority of participants indicated they used quantitative and qualitative research (94 percent) but also considered written course evaluations, conference information, class feedback, and student comments as evidence. Participants identified personal beliefs as the most frequent facilitator to EBTP with 25 percent indicating their institution as a barrier. As EBTP offers a guide to establishing best practices in nursing education, building a science of nursing education is the responsibility of all nurse educators.
FGF Receptor Mutations: Dimerization Syndromes, Cell Growth Suppression, and Animal Models

This review describes recent progress in the field of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) with an emphasis on the role of FGFR mutants in skeletal malformations. This family of four receptors contains the most frequent germline mutations in humans. More than 75 mutations have been recorded, which account for more than seven skeletal syndromes. The common cause for all the mutant phenotypes is gain‐of‐function by receptor activation through three major mechanisms: receptor dimerization, kinase activation, and increased affinity for FGF. The severity of the disease is correlated with both the extent of receptor activation and the specific tissue in which the mutant receptor form is expressed. Paradoxically, the consequence of receptor activation is inhibition of chondrocyte cell growth through signaling pathways that are cell‐type specific. The structure of the FGFR? FGF complex and its possible ternary complex with heparin explain the mechanism of receptor dimerization in the ectodomain and the possible contribution by some of the mutations to this process. Analysis of FGFR3 mutant mice produced by gene targeting as models for human disease, and studies in cell lines, have begun to delineate the novel signaling pathways of FGFR3 and to define possible targets for therapy.
Clinical application of autofluorescence densitometry with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope.

PURPOSE Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) affects the overlying absorptive retinal pigments within the eye and can potentially be used to assess their density. This study reports a clinical application of FAF in measuring photopigments by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO). METHODS The study group comprised 20 healthy subjects, 4 patients with branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), 3 with macular hole, 3 with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and 4 with resolved central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Serial FAF images were taken during exposure to light. The intensity of the FAF was measured at the site of the macular hole or the photocoagulation laser burn in the eyes with BRVO. The autofluorescence optical density difference (fODD) was measured from the FAF images and mapped to elucidate the topographic pattern. RESULTS The autofluorescence intensity showed little change at the sites of the macular holes or photocoagulation burns during exposure to light. The fODD was smallest at the center of the fovea and gradually increased with the eccentricity within 270 x 270 pixels around the fovea in healthy subjects. The amplitude of the fODD did not change in the area affected with BRAO in comparison to the unaffected area. By contrast, the fODD decreased in the area of resolved serous retinal detachment in the eyes with CSC. CONCLUSIONS In eyes with retinal disease, measuring the autofluorescence intensity using SLO is a feasible method of assessing the changes in the photopigments. Further studies comparing this approach with conventional methods for examining photopigments are needed.
Clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular characterization of a patient with a de novo interstitial 22q12 duplication

We report a 19‐year‐old woman with minor craniofacial anomalies, mild mental retardation, and foramina parietalia permagna (FPP) (OMIM 168500). Cytogenetic analysis showed a de novo interstitial chromosome 22 long arm duplication. FISH with a panel of chromosome 22q12‐q13 bands‐specific BAC clones refined the cytogenetic investigation, and restricted the duplicated segment to the q12 region. Mutation analysis of FPP genes identified an insertion mutation in the ALX4 gene (344insC) in the proband and her father with loss of function of the gene. The patient's phenotype is considered in the light of the results of the cytogenetic, FISH, and molecular investigations, and her features are compared with those of other patients with similar duplications. Finally, variable phenotypic findings due to different 22q duplicated chromosomal segments are discussed. Our report indicates that 22q12 interstitial duplications are associated with craniofacial anomalies and mild mental retardation, while life threatening malformations are usually not present. Although these phenotypic changes are common and non‐specific, molecular study of our patient established more precise relationships between clinical findings and 22q duplicated region(s). This approach fosters better counseling of the families of patients with newly diagnosed, similar duplications. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Apoptosis-Associated Speck–like Protein Containing a Caspase Recruitment Domain Inflammasomes Mediate IL-1β Response and Host Resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi Infection

The innate immune response to Trypanosoma cruzi infection comprises several pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including TLR-2, -4, -7, and -9, as well as the cytosolic receptor Nod1. However, there are additional PRRs that account for the host immune responses to T. cruzi. In this context, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain–like receptors (NLRs) that activate the inflammasomes are candidate receptors that deserve renewed investigation. Following pathogen infection, NLRs form large molecular platforms, termed inflammasomes, which activate caspase-1 and induce the production of active IL-1β and IL-18. In this study, we evaluated the involvement of inflammasomes in T. cruzi infection and demonstrated that apoptosis-associated speck–like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) inflammasomes, including NLR family, pyrin domain–containing 3 (NLRP3), but not NLR family, caspase recruitment domain–containing 4 or NLR family, pyrin domain–containing 6, are required for triggering the activation of caspase-1 and the secretion of IL-1β. The mechanism by which T. cruzi mediates the activation of the ASC/NLRP3 pathway involves K+ efflux, lysosomal acidification, reactive oxygen species generation, and lysosomal damage. We also demonstrate that despite normal IFN-γ production in the heart, ASC−/− and caspase-1−/− infected mice exhibit a higher incidence of mortality, cardiac parasitism, and heart inflammation. These data suggest that ASC inflammasomes are critical determinants of host resistance to infection with T. cruzi.
Fast Variability of TeraElectron Volt γ Rays from the Radio Galaxy M87

The detection of fast variations of the tera–electron volt (TeV) (1012 eV) γ-ray flux, on time scales of days, from the nearby radio galaxy M87 is reported. These variations are about 10 times as fast as those observed in any other wave band and imply a very compact emission region with a dimension similar to the Schwarzschild radius of the central black hole. We thus can exclude several other sites and processes of the γ-ray production. The observations confirm that TeV γ rays are emitted by extragalactic sources other than blazars, where jets are not relativistically beamed toward the observer.
INVITED EDITORIAL COMMENT: Passive Investing and Sustainability Integration Are Fundamentally Irreconcilable Investment Philosophies

1. David Blitz 1. is head of quantitative research at Robeco in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. (d.c.blitz{at}robeco.nl) 2. Wilma de Groot 1. is head of Core Quant Equities at Robeco in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. (w.de.groot{at}robeco.nl) 1. To order reprints of this article
Identifying IFDI and OFDI Productivity Spatial Spillovers: Evidence from China

ABSTRACT Using an original and unique merged large-scale Chinese dataset over 2002–2007, this article investigates the productivity spatial spillover effects from both inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) to private-owned domestic firms based on intra- and inter-regional dimensions. Results show strong evidence that the positive outward FDI (OFDI) spillover effect dominates in inter-region, whereas no significant positive effect exists in intra-region. By contrast, no significant spatial spillover effect is observed from inward FDI (IFDI). In addition, there exists the optimum geographical distance on productivity spatial spillovers as a result of the non-linear impact of the geographical proximity. These results are robust after controlling potential endogeneity and to different specifications.
LKB1-Mediated Spatial Control of GSK3β and Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Contributes to Centrosomal Forward Movement and Neuronal Migration in the Developing Neocortex

Neuronal migration is an essential process for the development of the cerebral cortex. We have previously shown that LKB1, an evolutionally conserved polarity kinase, plays a critical role in neuronal migration in the developing neocortex. Here we show that LKB1 mediates Ser9 phosphorylation of GSK3β to inactivate the kinase at the leading process tip of migrating neurons in the developing neocortex. This enables the microtubule plus-end binding protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) to localize at the distal ends of microtubules in the tip, thereby stabilizing microtubules near the leading edge. We also show that LKB1 activity, Ser9 phosphorylation of GSK3β, and APC binding to the distal ends of microtubules are required for the microtubule stabilization in the leading process tip, centrosomal forward movement, and neuronal migration. These findings suggest that LKB1-induced spatial control of GSK3β and APC at the leading process tip mediates the stabilization of microtubules within the tip and is critical for centrosomal forward movement and neuronal migration in the developing neocortex.
Pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C: Immunological features of hepatic injury and viral persistence

The immune response to viral antigens is thought to be responsible for viral clearance and disease pathogenesis during hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In chronically infected patients, the T‐cell response to the HCV is polyclonal and multispecific, although it is not as strong as the response in acutely infected patients who display a more vigorous T‐cell response. Importantly, viral clearance in acutely infected patients is associated with a strong CD4+ helper T‐cell response. Thus, the dominant cause of viral persistence during HCV infection may be the development of a weak antiviral immune response to the viral antigens, with corresponding inability to eradicate infected cells. Alternatively, if clearance of HCV from the liver results from the antiviral effect of T‐cell–derived cytokines, as has been demonstrated recently for the hepatitis B virus, chronic HCV infection could occur if HCV is not sensitive to such cytokines or if insufficient quantities of cytokines are produced. Liver cell damage may extend from virally infected to uninfected cells via soluble cytotoxic mediators and recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells forming the necroinflammatory response. Additional factors that could contribute to viral persistence are viral inhibition of antigen processing or presentation, modulation of the response to cytotoxic mediators, immunological tolerance to HCV antigens, mutational inactivation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes, mutational conversion of CTL epitopes into CTL antagonists, and infection of immunologically privileged tissues. Analysis of the basis for viral persistence is hampered because the necessary cell culture system and animal model to study this question do not yet exist.
Short-form Mini-Nutritional Assessment with either BMI or calf circumference is effective in rating the nutritional status of elderly Taiwanese – results of a national cohort study

The present study was aimed to validate two normalised short-form (SF) Mini-Nutritional Assessments (MNA) that contained either BMI (Taiwan version 1, T1) or calf circumference (CC; Taiwan version 2, T2) for rating the nutritional status of elderly Taiwanese. Both versions adopted Taiwanese anthropometric cut-offs, but T2 further had the BMI item replaced by CC. We compared the ability of the two SF in rating the nutritional status of 2674 elderly Taiwanese in the 1999 ‘Taiwan Longitudinal Survey on Aging’ with their respective full versions. We evaluated the agreement between the SF and full scales with weighted κ and performed Cox regression analysis for the follow-up 4-year mortality according to nutritional status rated at baseline. The results showed that the agreements between the respective SF and the full MNA were good (weighted κ: 0·679 for T1 and 0·667 for T2). Both SF performed well in predicting follow-up 4-year mortality relative to the full MNA. In conclusion, MNA-T1-SF and -T2-SF have good consistency with the full MNA and have quite comparable abilities in rating the nutritional status of elderly Taiwanese. Both SF versions appear appropriate for functioning as stand-alone units for rating the nutritional status of the elderly in community-living settings or the general population.
The Anesthetic Conserving Device Compared with Conventional Circle System Used Under Different Flow Conditions for Inhaled Anesthesia

The Anesthetic Conserving Device (ACD) is a high-flow anesthesia system closed to volatile anesthetics only. We compared the ACD with a circle system under different fresh gas flow (FGF) conditions. Eighty-one patients undergoing major surgery were randomly allocated to receive sevoflurane from a circle circuit combined either with the ACD placed at the Y-piece (n = 41) or with a vaporizer (n = 40). The FGF was set to 8 L/min in the ACD system, where the circle circuit served as a nonrebreather. In the conventional circle system without ACD, the vaporizer was supplied with 1-, 1.5-, 3-, and 6-L/min FGFs. We compared the ACD with the circle system under the four FGFs in terms of sevoflurane dosing, sevoflurane consumption, humidification efficiency, and environmental pollution. The ACD and the low-flow circle system (1.5- and 1-L/min FGFs) resulted in the smallest sevoflurane consumption. The increase in inspired sevoflurane concentration was faster with the circle system than with the ACD only with FGFs ≥3 L/min. The removal of ACD from the circuit allowed the fastest washout of sevoflurane. Respiratory gas humidification was always adequate. Sevoflurane ambient concentration with the ACD was 1–70 ppb. The ACD is a valid and simple alternative to low-flow systems.
Assessment of patient safety culture in Saudi Arabian hospitals

Context Healthcare organisations in Saudi Arabia are striving to improve patient safety and quality of care through implementation of safety systems and creating a culture of safety. Objective The purpose of this study to evaluate the extent to which the culture supports patient safety at Saudi hospitals. Data Collection A survey questionnaire was distributed hospital-wide in 13 general hospitals in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, to 223 health professionals including nurses, technicians, managers and medical staff. Measurement The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture questionnaire was used to identify dimensions of patient safety culture. Results Overall Patient Safety Grade was rated as excellent or very good by 60% of respondents, acceptable by 33% and failing or poor by 7%. More than half of respondents thought that managers overlook safety problems that happen over and over. Areas of strength for most hospitals were organisational learning/continuous improvement, teamwork within units, feedback and communication about errors. Areas with potential for improvement for most hospitals were under-reporting of events, non-punitive response to error, staffing, teamwork across hospital units. Conclusion Leadership is a critical element to the effectiveness of patient safety initiatives. Response to errors is an important determinant of safety culture in healthcare organisations. In order for healthcare organisations to create a culture of safety and improvement, they must eliminate fear of blame and create a climate of open communication and continuous learning.
Influence of surgical stress and parenteral nutrition on serum leptin concentration.

UNLABELLED Experimental studies suggest that leptin may be an important metabolic signal for energy regulation. AIM To assess whether surgical stress produces changes in serum leptin concentration and to investigate and compare the effect of total parenteral nutrition and hypocaloric parenteral nutrition on serum leptin levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-two surgical patients (11 male and 11 female) in need of parenteral nutrition were recruited. Parenteral nutrition was always initiated 24 h after surgical procedure. Group I (n=15) received total parenteral nutrition, while Group II (n=7) were treated with hypocaloric parenteral nutrition. Serum leptin concentration was determined before surgical procedure (day -1), after surgery and before parenteral nutrition was started (day +1), and after 5 days of treatment with parenteral nutrition (day +6). RESULTS A tendency to increase serum leptin levels was observed after surgical procedure (6.0+/-1.9 vs 9.9+/-2.7 ng/ml;P= 0.07). After starting parenteral nutrition no significant changes on serum leptin concentrations were found in both groups, but a trend to raise serum leptin was observed in Group I (6.2+/-1.7 vs 8.3+/-2.7 ng/ml) whereas a trend to decrease serum leptin was detected in Group II (4.6+/-2.5 vs 1.6+/-0.5 ng/ml). On day +6 an increase of serum leptin and insulin levels was observed in Group I in comparison with Group II (8.3+/-2.7 vs 1.6+/-0.5 ng/ml;P<< 0.05 and 58+/-41 vs 12+/-15 microU/l;P<< 0.05 respectively). Finally, a positive correlation at day +6 between insulin and serum leptin levels was observed (r= 0.66;P<< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS a) Surgical stress is associated to an increase of serum leptin concentrations; b) Total and hypocaloric parenteral nutrition produces quite different effects on serum leptin levels that could be related to distinct insulin response.
Factor Structure and Construct Validity of Children Participation Assessment Scale in Activities Outside of School–Parent Version (CPAS-P)

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was assess the factor structure, reliability and construct validity of the Children Participation Assessment Scale in Activities Outside of School–Parent Version (CPAS-P). The participants of this study were 700 parents of children aged 6–12 years. For data analysis, the confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability were conducted. Convergent validity was calculated by correlation with the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale. The results indicated the CPAS-P has good internal reliability. Overall, Cronbach's alpha for the participation measures ranged between 0.87 and 0.91, indicating good homogeneity, and Spearman correlations for convergent validity was acceptable. The temporal stability of the CPAS-P was supported with Intra-Class Correlations ranging from 0.79 to 0.94. Therefore, the CPAS-P, which evaluates all eight areas of occupation (i.e., activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, play, leisure, social participation, education, work, and sleep/rest) has demonstrated good psychometric properties; and can be used as a reliable and valid measure to assess children's participation at the age of 6–12 years.
Morphomechanics of dermis‐A method for non‐destructive testing of collagenous tissues

Collagenous tissues store, transmit and dissipate elastic energy during mechanical deformation. In skin, mechanical energy is stored during loading and then is dissipated, which protects skin from mechanical failure. Thus, energy storage (elastic properties) and dissipation (viscous properties) are important characteristics of extracellular matrices (ECMs) that support the cyclic loading of ECMs without tissue failure.
Measurement Equivalence/Invariance of the Abusive Supervision Measure Across Workers From Taiwan and the United States

ABSTRACT Growing international research interest in negative-leadership behaviors prompts the need to examine whether measures of ineffective leadership developed in the United States are equivalent across countries outside the United States. B. J. Tepper's (2000) abusive supervision measure has been used widely inside and outside the United States and merits research attention on its construct equivalence across different cultural settings. The authors conducted a series of multigroup confirmatory factor analyses to investigate the measurement equivalence of this measure across Taiwan (N = 256) and the United States (N = 389). Configural invariance was established, suggesting that both U.S. and Taiwanese samples perceive abusive supervision as a single-factor concept. Furthermore, the establishment of partial metric invariance and partial scalar invariance suggests that the abusive supervision measure is applicable to crosscultural comparisons in latent means, construct variance, construct covariances, and unstandardized path coefficients with the caution that workers from different cultures calibrate their responses differently when answering some items.
Comparison of in vitro antibiograms of Bacteroides fragilis group isolates: differences in resistance rates in two institutions because of differences in susceptibility testing methodology

With 120 clinical isolates of the Bacteroides fragilis group, a comparison of rates of resistance to selected antimicrobial agents by using two susceptibility tests was performed in two medical institutions. The broth microdilution method produced MICs significantly lower than those determined by the agar dilution method. With ceftizoxime and cefoxitin, 88 and 18%, respectively, of the MICs were greater than or equal to 2 twofold dilutions apart. These differences in MIC results produced major interpretive discrepancies for ceftizoxime and cefoxitin, whereas no significant differences in resistance rates were noted for clindamycin and metronidazole.