Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial language promotes cross-domain associations in early childhood

Spatial language is often used metaphorically to describe other domains, including time (a long sound) and pitch (a high sound). How does experience with these metaphors shape the associations we make across disparate domains? Here, we tested 3to 6-year-old English-speaking children and adults with a cross-domain matching task that assessed space-time and space-pitch mappings. We tested spatial relations that are expressed in English metaphors for time and pitch, as well as metaphors that are unfamiliar to English speakers, but expressed in other languages. Participants performed a perceptual matching task, in which they matched pictures and sounds, and a linguistic matching task, in which they matched pictures or sounds to verbal labels. Adults readily matched between space and time and between space and pitch, using relations expressed by both familiar and unfamiliar metaphors. Children showed an advantage for linguistic matching compared to perceptual matching, but their performance was similarly unaffected by metaphor familiarity. Together, these results suggest that spatial language promotes the development of cross-domain associations, and that experience with particular spatial metaphors is not required to produce this benefit.
Prevalence of Ovine Theileria Species in District Lahore, Pakistan

A total of 200 whole blood samples along with thin blood samples smears and 100 samples of ticks from 20 flocks of sheep from different localities of district Lahore with a history of tick infestation , relapse of fever and anemia were screened for the prevalence of Theileria species during spring and summer seasons in 2007. On microscopic examination 44/200 (22%) samples were positive for Theileria, while 70/200 (35%) blood samples were found positive for Theileria species by PCR, out of which 79% were positive for T. ovis and 21% for T. lestoquardi. The clinical signs were recorded in 30% (60/200) sheep. Out of total of 100 tick samples the prevalence of Hyalomma was highest (45%) followed by Rhipicephalus (41%) and Boophilus (14%). The prevalence of T. ovis was 65.8% (27/41) as compared to 66.6% (30/45) for T. lestoquardi in Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma ticks, respectively. Key word: Theileria, Pakistan, ovine.
Non-pharmacological Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Acutely Ill Medical Patients

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in acutely ill medical patients. VTE prophylaxis can be assured by pharmacological strategies and, when contraindicated, by non pharmacological measures, such as early mobilization, graduated compression stockings (GCS), intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) or inferior vena caval filters. Literature evidence on non pharmacological VTE prophylaxis lacks and guidelines are not standardized for hospitalized ill medical patients. Much recently randomized clinical trials in patients with stroke and other medical diseases, seem to increase doubts and reduce certainties in this context. In this review we provide information about non pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in acutely hospitalized ill medical patients. Review Article Masotti et al.; CA, 2(1): 1-14, 2014; Article no. CA.2014. 001 2
Does Widowhood Increase Mortality Risk?: Testing for Selection Effects by Comparing Causes of Spousal Death

Background: We consider whether widowhood increases mortality risk. Although commonly observed, this “widowhood effect” could be due to selection effects, as married couples share various characteristics related to the risk of death. We therefore consider the widowhood effect by various causes of spousal death; some causes of death are correlated with shared characteristics in couples, while others are not. Methods: Using data from the Scottish Longitudinal Study, we compare outcomes for men and women by the causes of death of their spouse, controlling for a range of individual- and household-level characteristics. Results: The widowhood effect in these data is greater than has been found in other recent studies, with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.40 (95% confidence interval = 1.33–1.47) for men and 1.36 (1.30–1.44) for women. The risk is highest shortly after widowhood, but remains raised for at least 10 years. There was little evidence that these hazard ratios differed by any classification of the cause of death of the spouse, but interactions were found for those with pre-existing illness or other risk factors. The hazard ratios for widowhood were lower for persons with preexisting risks. Conclusions: Our analysis of the widowhood effect uses 3 methods of classifying the causes of spousal death in an attempt to control for potential selection effects. Our results are highly consistent and suggest that this is a causal effect, rather than a result of selection.
Aetiological Factors in Low Birth Weight in a Nigerian Population

Low birth weight babies delivered at Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria, from January 1982 to December 1986 were reviewed. They constituted 11.5070 of the total births within the period. The common aetiological factors' were multiple pregnancy, nulliparity, preterm rupture of fetal membranes, hypertensive disorders, antepartum haemorrhage and anaemia in pregnancy.
β-Catenin-dependent Wnt signalling controls the epithelial organisation of somites through the activation of paraxis

The regulation of cell adhesion in epithelia is a fundamental process governing morphogenesis in embryos and a key step in the progression of invasive cancers. Here, we have analysed the molecular pathways controlling the epithelial organisation of somites. Somites are mesodermal epithelial structures of vertebrate embryos that undergo several changes in cell adhesion during early embryonic life. We show that Wnt6 in the ectoderm overlaying the somites, but not Wnt1 in the neighbouring neural tube, is the most likely candidate molecule responsible for the maintenance of the epithelial structure of the dorsal compartment of the somite: the dermomyotome. We characterised the signalling pathway that mediates Wnt6 activity. Our experiments suggest that the Wnt receptor molecule Frizzled7 probably transduces the Wnt6 signal. Intracellularly, this leads to the activation of theβ -catenin/LEF1-dependent pathway. Finally, we demonstrate that the bHLH transcription factor paraxis, which was previously shown to be a major player in the epithelial organisation of somites, is a target of theβ -catenin signal. We conclude that β-catenin activity, initiated by Wnt6 and mediated by paraxis, is required for the maintenance of the epithelial structure of somites.
Emergence of CXCR4-Using Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Variants in a Minority of HIV-1-Infected Patients following Treatment with the CCR5 Antagonist Maraviroc Is from a Pretreatment CXCR4-Using Virus Reservoir

ABSTRACT Antagonists of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coreceptor, CCR5, are being developed as the first anti-HIV agents acting on a host cell target. We monitored the coreceptor tropism of circulating virus, screened at baseline for coreceptor tropism, in 64 HIV-1-infected patients who received maraviroc (MVC, UK-427,857) as monotherapy for 10 days. Sixty-two patients harbored CCR5-tropic virus at baseline and had a posttreatment phenotype result. Circulating virus remained CCR5 tropic in 60/62 patients, 51 of whom experienced an HIV RNA reduction from baseline of >1 log10 copies/ml, indicating that CXCR4-using variants were not rapidly selected despite CCR5-specific drug pressure. In two patients, viral load declined during treatment and CXCR4-using virus was detected at day 11. No pretreatment factor predicted the emergence of CXCR4-tropic virus during maraviroc therapy in these two patients. Phylogenetic analysis of envelope (Env) clones from pre- and posttreatment time points indicated that the CXCR4-using variants probably emerged by outgrowth of a pretreatment CXCR4-using reservoir, rather than via coreceptor switch of a CCR5-tropic clone under selection pressure from maraviroc. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed on Env clones from a third patient harboring CXCR4-using virus prior to treatment. This patient was enrolled due to a sample labeling error. Although this patient experienced no overall reduction in viral load in response to treatment, the CCR5-tropic components of the circulating virus did appear to be suppressed while receiving maraviroc as monotherapy. Importantly, in all three patients, circulating virus reverted to predominantly CCR5 tropic following cessation of maraviroc.
Physiologic Expression of the Candida albicans Pescadillo Homolog Is Required for Virulence in a Murine Model of Hematogenously Disseminated Candidiasis

ABSTRACT Morphogenetic conversions contribute to the pathogenesis of Candida albicans invasive infections. Many studies to date have convincingly demonstrated a link between filamentation and virulence; however, relatively little is known regarding the role of the filament-to-yeast transition during the pathogenesis of invasive candidiasis. We previously identified the C. albicans pescadillo homolog (PES1) as essential during yeast growth and growth of lateral yeast on hyphae but not during hyphal growth. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PES1 is required for virulence in vivo in a Galleria mellonella larva model of candidiasis. Here, we have used a regulatable tetO-PES1/pes1 strain to assess the contribution of C. albicans PES1 to pathogenesis in the commonly used and clinically relevant murine model of hematogenously disseminated candidiasis. Our results indicate that a physiologically controlled level of PES1 expression is required for full virulence in this animal model, with virulence defects observed both when PES1 is overexpressed and and when it is depleted. The pathogenetic defect of cells depleted of PES1 is not due to a general growth defect, as demonstrated by the fact that PES1-depleted cells still kill Caenorhabditis elegans as efficiently as the wild type due to hyphal outgrowth through worm tissues. Our results suggest a critical role of lateral yeast growth in the ability of C. albicans to normally proliferate within tissues, as well as a pivotal role for Pes1 in the normal developmental cycle of C. albicans within the mammalian host during infection.
ecidivist drink drivers ’ self-reported reasons for driving whilst unlicensed — A ualitative analysis

Aim: This paper presents qualitative data from an in-depth interview study of 40 repeat drink drivers in Perth Western Australia to inform countermeasures for these high risk offenders. Background: Licence sanctions are effective countermeasures for most drink drivers but the small group of repeat offenders are less responsive. Many choose to drive whilst unlicensed as the probability of detection is low and the social and economic costs of not driving can be high. This undermines other drink drive countermeasures. Results: Most respondents who had had their licence suspended admitted to driving whilst under suspension. Employment and social factors were key themes emerging in respondents’ accounts of driving WI WS epeat ecidivist nterlock whilst under licence suspension. Conclusions: Whilst a range of enforcement countermeasures are needed to deter drunk and unlicensed driving, this study suggests that where possible we aim to keep offenders within the system that consists of formal laws and informal social controls, rather than apply penalties in ways that undermine adherence to the law by increasing unlicensed driving. Allowing for interlock installation early in the driving suspension period, and allowing fines to offset cost of interlock installation and monitoring, may nefit maximise community be
Transcriptional regulation restricting bone sialoprotein gene expression to both hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteoblasts

This study identifies a cis‐acting element that confers tissue‐restricted expression to the bone sialoprotein (BSP) gene. Using both gain of function and loss‐of function studies, we demonstrate that this element acts as a tissue specific enhancer of BSP expression in osteoblasts and hypertrophic chondrocytes but does not function in non‐hypertrophic chondrocytes or fibroblasts. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that binding of this element occurs in correlation with active BSP expression. While Dlx5 has been implicated as the tissue‐specific regulator of BSP expression through direct DNA binding at an element with homology to the one under study here, our results demonstrate that Dlx5 does not act as a positive regulator of BSP expression. Finally, mutational analyses of this element demonstrate that while there is homology to putative homeodomain binding elements, this site is unlikely to bind homeodomain factors including Dlx5. Thus, these studies identify an important cis‐acting element in the BSP promoter that acts as a tissue‐specific enhancer of BSP expression in both osteoblasts and hypertrophic chondrocytes. As such this is the first demonstration of a common regulatory mechanism utilized by both chondrocytes and osteoblasts for the tissue‐restricted expression of the BSP gene. J. Cell. Biochem. 87: 458–469, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
L-BLP25: A Peptide Vaccine Strategy in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

MUC1 is a mucinous glycoprotein which is overexpressed and under or aberrantly glycosylated in many human malignancies. MUC1 is associated with cellular transformation and can confer resistance to genotoxic agents. L-BLP25 is a peptide vaccine strategy that targets the exposed core peptide of MUC1. In preclinical studies, L-BLP25 induced a cellular immune response characterized by T-cell proliferation in response to MUC1 and production of IFN-γ. Phase I and II trials have established the dose and schedule of the vaccine as well as its excellent safety profile. A randomized phase II trial of maintenance L-BLP25 versus best supportive care in patients with stage IIIB/IV non–small cell lung cancer who experienced clinical benefit from initial therapy has been reported. Updated survival analysis of this trial continues to show a strong survival trend in favor of L-BLP25 (median survival, 30.6 versus 13.3 months) in a subgroup of patients with locoregional stage IIIB disease. These promising results will be tested in a phase III trial of L-BLP25 versus placebo in patients with stage III non–small cell lung cancer after response to primary chemoradiotherapy.
Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Studies of Lantana indica Roxb

The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial and preliminary phytochemical properties of Lantana indica Roxb. The aqueous and organic solvent (ethyl acetate and methanol) extracts from the leaves of Lantana indica (Verbenaceae) were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Steptococcus pyrogens, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans by agar well diffusion method. The results showed promising antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria. Among these, methanol and aqueous extracts were found to possess a more potent inhibitory effect when compared to the ethyl acetate extract. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of extracts revealed the presence of antimicrobial compounds such as carbohydrates, proteins, tannins and flavonoidal glycosides. The result of this study validates the use of methanol and aqueous extract of this species in ethnomedicine, favouring the isolation of antibacterial agents from the leaf extract of Lantana indica.
Blood pressure monitoring in aeromedical care

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Status of western gray whales off northeastern Sakhalin Island, Russia, in 2008

A collaborative Russia-U.S. research program on western gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) summering off northeastern Sakhalin Island, Russia, has been ongoing since 1995 and has produced important information on the present day conservation status of this critically endangered population. This paper reviews findings from 2008 research activities and combines such with data from previous years, in some cases ranging back to an opportunistic survey in 1994. Photo-identification research conducted off Sakhalin Island in 2008 resulted in the identification of 45 whales, including three calves. No previously unidentified non-calves were observed. When combined with data from 1994-2007, a catalog of 172 photo-identified individuals has been compiled. Not all of these 172 whales can be assumed to be alive, however. One new reproductive female was recorded in 2008, resulting in a minimum of 25 reproductive females being observed since 1995. In addition to a number of biological difficulties that western gray whales are facing, the large-scale offshore oil and gas development programs near their summer feeding ground, as well as fatal net entrapments off Japan during migration, pose significant threats to the future survival of the population.
Delayed function of dental implants: a 1- to 7-year follow-up study of 222 implants.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare implant-supported restorations placed and loaded immediately or with a delay in a longitudinal case control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-six patients with 222 implants were enrolled in this study. One hundred eleven implants (45 patients) were submitted to immediate functional or nonfunctional loading. These were compared to 111 implants (51 patients) that received delayed loading after submerged healing. The mean observation time was 40.3 months (3.36 years). Implant success was determined, and peri-implant soft tissue parameters and esthetic outcomes for anterior restorations were evaluated. The implants were divided into four groups according to their treatment protocol: immediate (I) or delayed (D) implant placement (P) or function (F), ie: group 1 = IF+IP, group 2 = IF+DP, group 3 = DF+IP, and group 4 = DF+DP. RESULTS Five implants were lost during healing, giving an overall success rate of 97.7%. Implants with delayed function showed significantly better results (100.0%) than implants that were immediately loaded (95.5%). Four of the five lost implants had been placed immediately postextraction (success rate for delayed implant placement, 99.4%, versus 93.1% for immediate implant placement). Regarding the four treatment protocols, group 1 showed a success rate of 91.3%; group 2 achieved 98.5%; and both delayed function groups showed 100% success. No statistically significant difference was seen between the four groups. Esthetically significant advantages were seen for the implants placed into immediate function. Probing depths and bleeding on probing were significantly lower in the group of implants placed into immediate function. CONCLUSIONS Implants that are loaded immediately can achieve good outcomes. However, the risk of implant loss appears to be increased in cases where immediate function is combined with immediate implant placement.
Electroconvulsive Therapy and the Fear of Deviance

After reaching the verge of obsolescence, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is once again on the increase. There remains, however, no sound theoretical basis for its use. By 1948 at least 50 different theories had been proposed to account for the workings of ECT. Today there are numerous more. Further, there is no good evidence for its therapeutic effectiveness. Although some studies show what are claimed to be positive results, others show significant amount of relapse, even with severe depression (the disorder against which ECT is supposed to be most effective), while even other studies show ECT to have little more effect than a placebo. Finally, there is much evidence for ECTs damaging effects, particularly to cognitive functioning like memory, general intelligence level, and perceptual abilities, and quite possibly to brain functioning. Some studies even suggest that the alleged therapeutic effects of ECT are essentially the effects of organic brain damage. The question, then, is why, despite these problems, does ECT continue to be used? ECTs salient features suggest an answer here. These are the features of dehumanization, power, control, punishment, and others, all of which can be traced back to the fear of deviant psychotic behavior.
Relevance of chest radiography in pediatric inpatients with asthma

Abstract Introduction: The goals of this study are to identify factors associated with ordering of chest radiographs (CXR’s) in children hospitalized with acute asthma exacerbations and determine the overall clinical impact of these CXR’s. Methods: A retrospective study was performed with children ≥ 2 years of age admitted from our emergency department (ED) between 6/1/2011 and 5/31/2012 with a primary diagnosis of acute asthma exacerbation or status asthmaticus. Patients were excluded if they had been on antibiotics prior to the emergency visit, received continuous albuterol or intravenous magnesium during the hospitalization, or had another chronic disease affecting lung function. Results: 180 of the 405 children in the study (44%) had CXR’s ordered, of which 18 (10%) had imaging that altered the patient’s treatment plan. There were six cases of radiologist-diagnosed pneumonia, nine cases of atelectasis treated with antibiotics and three cases of pneumothorax. Factors associated with CXR ordering were: fever at home or in the ED (OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.8–7.4), triage oxygen saturation less than or equal to 92% (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.7) and age 4 years or less (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4–3.7). Patients with treatment-altering CXR’s were more likely to have oxygen saturations less than or equal to 92% (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4–13.0; p = 0.006) or fever in the ED (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.0–13.6; p < 0.05). No patients with triage oxygen saturation above 96% had a treatment-altering CXR. Conclusions: The majority of CXR’s ordered in pediatric inpatients with asthma exacerbation do not provide clinically relevant information.
Visual Capability of the Weakly Electric Fish Apteronotus albifrons as Revealed by a Modified Retinal Flat-Mount Method

Apteronotus albifrons (Gymnotiformes, Apteronotidae) is well known to have a sophisticated active electrosense system and is commonly described as having poor vision or being almost blind. However, some studies on this species suggest that the visual system may have a role in sensing objects in the environment. In this study, we investigated the visual capabilities of A. albifrons by focusing on eye morphology and retinal ganglion cell distribution. The eyes were almost embedded below the body surface and pigmented dermal tissue covered the peripheral regions of the pupil, limiting the direction of incoming light. The lens was remarkably flattened compared to the almost spherical lenses of other teleosts. The layered structure of the retina was not well delineated and ganglion cells did not form a continuous sheet of cell bodies. A newly modified retinal flat-mount method was applied to reveal the ganglion cell distribution. This method involved postembedding removal of the pigment epithelium of the retina for easier visualization of ganglion cells in small and/or fragile retinal tissues. We found that ganglion cell densities were relatively high in the periphery and highest in the nasal and temporal retina, although specialization was not so high (approx. 3:1) with regard to the medionasal or mediotemporal axis. The estimated highest possible spatial resolving power was around 0.57 and 0.54 cycles/degree in the nasal and temporal retina, respectively, confirming the lower importance of the visual sense in this species. However, considering the hunting nature of A. albifrons, the relatively high acuity of the caudal visual field in combination with electrolocation may well be used to locate prey situated close to the side of the body.