Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of aspirin analogues that repress NF-κB signalling and demonstrate anti-proliferative activity towards colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Substantial evidence indicates that aspirin and related non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have potential as chemopreventative/therapeutic agents. However, these agents cannot be universally recommended for prevention purposes due to their potential side-effect profiles. Here, we compared the growth inhibitory and mechanistic activity of aspirin to two novel analogues, diaspirin (DiA) and fumaryl diaspirin (F-DiA). We found that the aspirin analogues inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells at significantly lower doses than aspirin. Similar to aspirin, we found that an early response to the analogues was a reduction in levels of cyclin D1 and stimulation of the NF-κB pathway. This stimulation was associated with a significant reduction in basal levels of NF-κB transcriptional activity, in keeping with previous data for aspirin. However, in contrast to aspirin, DiA and F-DiA activity was not associated with nucleolar accumulation of RelA. For all assays, F-DiA had a more rapid and significant effect than DiA, identifying this agent as particularly active against colorectal cancer. Using a syngeneic colorectal tumour model in mice, we found that, while both agents significantly inhibited tumour growth in vivo, this effect was particularly pronounced for F-DiA. These data identify two compounds that are active against colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo. They also identify a potential mechanism of action of these agents and shed light on the chemical structures that may be important for the antitumour effects of aspirin.
Specific deficiencies versus growth failure: type I and type II nutrients.

A child responds to a deficiency of an essential nutrient either by continuing to grow and consuming body stores with eventual reduction in the bodily functions (Type I) or by reducing growth and avidly conserving the nutrient to maintain the concentration of the nutrient in the tissues (Type II). Examples of Type I nutrient deficiency are anemia (iron deficiency), beri-beri (thiamin deficiency), pellagra (niacin or nicotinic acid deficiency), scurvy (vitamin C or ascorbic acid deficiency), xerophthalmia (vitamin A or retinol deficiency) and iodine deficiency disorders. Diagnosis is relatively simple via clinical symptoms and measurement of the concentration of the nutrient itself. There are no characteristic symptoms to distinguish which Type II nutrient deficiency an individual has; all deficiencies result in the poor growth, stunting, and wasting generally ascribed to protein-energy malnutrition. In Type II, growth stops, the body starts to conserve the nutrient, and its excretion falls to very low levels. In severe deficiency the body may start to break down its own tissues and the reduction of appetite accompanies this condition. An animal can die from zinc deficiency even though it is has a normal concentration of zinc in its tissues, but it can respond rapidly to small amount of dietary zinc. The mechanisms by which the body stops growing in response to nutritional lack are similar to the hormonal picture seen in endocrine disease (reduction of the production of the hormonal mediators of growth, down-regulation of receptors, and reduction of protein synthesis). Growth failure is the clinical sign characteristic of a diet deficient in protein, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Wasting may be also ascribed to toxins, infection, worms, or persistent diarrhea. Anorexia is another common response in nutrient deficiency. Only a supplementation diet with a balance of nutrients will promote rapid recovery.
Time-weighted nursing demand is a better predictor than midnight census of nursing supply in an intensive care unit.

PURPOSE Labor costs are the largest fraction of operating costs in an intensive care unit (ICU). Estimation of appropriate nursing supply is frequently based on the midnight census of patients, which is a "snapshot" view of the ICU. We postulated that the midnight census would not correlate as well as time-weighted nursing demand (a calculation of need for nursing staff) with the actual number of nurses who were required to staff the ICU (nursing supply). The purpose of this study was to compare the correlation between midnight census and actual nursing supply with the correlation between time-weighted nursing demand and nursing supply. MATERIALS AND METHODS We measured nursing activity, midnight census, and actual nursing supply for each of 77 consecutive days in a 14-bed medical-surgical ICU within a 450-bed tertiary care teaching hospital. We calculated time-weighted nursing demand based on 1:1 nursing for ICU patients, 1:2 nursing for step-down patients, 0.5 additional nurse hours for each cardiac arrest, and 0.5 additional nurse hours for each new admission to the ICU. RESULTS There was a correlation between midnight census and nursing supply (r2 = .42, P<.0001) and between nursing demand and nursing supply (r2 = .83, P<.0001). The correlation coefficient for the relationship between nursing demand and nursing supply was significantly greater than that for the relationship between midnight census and nursing supply (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS Time-weighted nursing demand is a better predictor than midnight census of nursing supply in an ICU.
The role of information and communication technology for development in Brazil

ABSTRACT Social, human and economic dimensions of development demand relevant attention in developing and developed countries. In this paper, we explore the role of information technology (IT) for development in an emerging economy: Brazil. Through our analysis and discussion, we highlight relevant issues to be considered by information systems (IS) literature. For example, we observed IT advances in the health area, and these advances include telemedicine, applications focused on cancer, applications for prescription process, electrocardiogram in the clouds, and remote tele-monitoring of chronic patients. During the literature review, we also found two initiatives in Brazil that help in the fight against cancer and HIV with IT use. These (and other) measures have a direct effect on social and human development. We indicate a special attention to the importance of government actions and of the internet to leverage the relationship between IT investments and development in emerging economies.
Ciprofloxacin Transport by Chemoattractant-Activated Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes: Regulation by Priming and Protein Kinase C

ABSTRACT At infection sites, polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function is enhanced (“primed”) by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and activated by formyl peptides. In this study, GM-CSF or LPS alone had no significant effects on PMN ciprofloxacin transport. Through a mechanism involving protein kinase C, activation by formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) significantly decreased the Km of ciprofloxacin transport and enhanced ciprofloxacin accumulation. This effect was dramatically enhanced when PMNs were primed with GM-CSF or LPS prior to activation by fMLP.
Description of a human papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line. Morphologic study and expression of tumoral markers

Background. The establishment of cell lines from thyroid carcinomas can provide an in vitro model of oncogenesis. B‐CPAP is a new cell line that has been obtained from a differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma. The data presented give a broader characterization and expression of tumoral markers of this cell line and identify the differentiated functions that are preserved.
Efficacy of gabapentin in the management of chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy

The antiepileptic agent, gabapentin, has been demonstrated to relieve symptoms of peripheral neuropathy due to various etiologies. On the basis of these data, a multicenter, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover, randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of gabapentin on symptoms of chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
The Preservation of Order: The Use of Common Approach Among Staff Toward Clients in Long-Term Psychiatric Care

The authors performed this grounded theory study to gain a deeper understanding of the kinds of social processes that lead to a need among psychiatric nursing staff to reach a common approach on how to act toward individual clients in long-term psychiatric care. They present a theory about the development of such common approaches among staff. The main findings were that in psychiatric group dwellings, when the internal order is perceived as having been disturbed, the staff preserve or restore the internal order by formulating and reaching a common approach. The staff negotiated with each other to achieve an agreement on how to act and behave toward the individual client. The authors isolate and describe different types of order-disturbing incidents and the common approaches taken by the staff in dealing with them. However, their data also show that staff often had difficulties in maintaining a common approach over time.
Structure of Staphylococcal α-Hemolysin, a Heptameric Transmembrane Pore

The structure of the Staphylococcus aureus α-hemolysin pore has been determined to 1.9 Å resolution. Contained within the mushroom-shaped homo-oligomeric heptamer is a solvent-filled channel, 100 Å in length, that runs along the sevenfold axis and ranges from 14 Å to 46 Å in diameter. The lytic, transmembrane domain comprises the lower half of a 14-strand antiparallel β barrel, to which each protomer contributes two β strands, each 65 Å long. The interior of the β barrel is primarily hydrophilic, and the exterior has a hydrophobic belt 28 Å wide. The structure proves the heptameric subunit stoichiometry of the α-hemolysin oligomer, shows that a glycine-rich and solvent-exposed region of a water-soluble protein can self-assemble to form a transmembrane pore of defined structure, and provides insight into the principles of membrane interaction and transport activity of β barrel pore-forming toxins.
BIOLOGIC PROPERTIES OF TWO PLAQUE VARIANTS OF VESICULAR STOMATITIS VIRUS (INDIANA SEROTYPE).

Large plaque (LP) and small plaque (SP) variants were cloned from stock cultures of Indiana serotype, San Juan strain of vesicular stomatitis (VS) virus. Both variants bred true in cultures of chick embryo (CE) and L cells. Differences in infectivity, cytopathogenicity and growth potential were more pronounced when the two variants were compared in cultures of L cells. The LP and SP variants did not appear to differ significantly in the following properties: adsorption on CE or L cells, release from infected L cells, thermostability, growth in the presence of agar extracts, plaque size and growth under conditions of reduced bicarbonate concentrations, inactivation of infectivity by ultraviolet irradiation and cytotoxicity. Slight variations could be detected in neutralization by antibody and buoyant density in a cesium chloride density gradient. The LP variant was not conclusively inferior in its capacity to induce formation of interferon during the course of infection. However, definite evidence was obtained that the SP variant is more susceptible to the action of an exogenous interferon produced by infected L cells. Persistent infection of L cells could be established only with the SP variant. During an observation period of 5 months, carrier L cell cultures underwent periodic cycles of SP virus multiplication and cell destruction alternating with cycles of virus quiescence and slow repopulation of cultures by surviving L cells. No interferon could be detected in SP carrier cultures, but the L cells became more resistant to superinfection with the LP variant.
MAPPING IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA USING HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGERY : A COMPARISON OF OBJECT-BASED AND PER PIXEL CLASSIFICATION

Impervious surface area is a key indicator of environmental quality. Satellite remote sensing of impervious surface has focused on subpixel analysis via various forms of statistical estimation, subpixel classification, and spectral mixture analysis, using medium resolution Landsat TM or ETM+ data. Maps of impervious surface area from these studies provide useful inputs to planning and management activities at city to regional scales. However, for local studies, large-scale, higher resolution maps are preferred. This study investigates digital classification techniques of mapping of impervious surface area using high resolution Quickbird satellite data. Two methods – object-based and per pixel classification – are explored and compared. The results provide information for accurate impervious surface mapping and estimation in high resolution imagery.
Photopic ERGs in patients with optic neuropathies: comparison with primate ERGs after pharmacologic blockade of inner retina.

PURPOSE To determine whether anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and compressive optic neuropathy in humans alter the photopic flash ERG and to investigate the cellular origins of the waves that are affected by pharmacologic agents in primates. METHODS Photopic flash ERGs were recorded differentially, with DTL electrodes, between the two eyes of 22 patients with diagnosed optic neuropathy (n = 17, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy [AION]; n = 5, compressive optic neuropathy) and 25 age-matched control subjects and in 17 eyes of 13 monkeys (Macaca mulatta). The stimulus consisted of brief (<5 ms) red (lambda(max) = 660 nm) Ganzfeld flashes (energy range, 0.5-2.0 log td-s) delivered on a rod-saturating blue background of 3.7 log sc td (lambda(max) = 460 nm). An eye of the patient with ischemic changes at the disc was classified as symptomatic if it showed visual field defects with a mean deviation (MD) of P < 2%. Recordings in macaque monkeys were made before and after inner retinal blockade with tetrodotoxin (TTX) (1.2-2.1 microM; n = 7), TTX+N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA; 1.4-6.4 mM; n = 7), and cis-2, 3 piperidine dicarboxylic acid (PDA; 3.3-3.8 mM; n = 3). RESULTS The PhNR amplitude was significantly reduced in both symptomatic (P = 3.4 x 10(-8)) and asymptomatic (P = 0.036) eyes of patients with AION or compressive optic neuropathy (P = 0.0054) compared with control subjects. The PhNR amplitude in the symptomatic eye showed a moderate correlation with field defects (P < 0.05) similar to previous findings in open-angle glaucoma. The a-wave also was reduced significantly in the symptomatic eye (P = 0.0002) of patients with AION. The i-wave, a positive wave on the trailing edge of the b-wave peaking around 50 ms, became more prominent in eyes in which the PhNR was significantly reduced. In monkeys, the PhNR was eliminated by TTX. The a-wave at the peak and later times was reduced by TTX, further reduced by NMDA, and eliminated after PDA in response to the red stimuli. PDA also eliminated the i-wave. CONCLUSIONS PhNR amplitude is significantly reduced in eyes with open-angle glaucoma, AION, and compressive optic neuropathy. Experiments in primates indicate that this reduction reflects loss of a spike-driven contribution to the photopic ERG. There also are small spike-driven contributions to the a-wave elicited by full-field red stimuli. The i-wave, which becomes more prominent when the PhNR is reduced, has origins in the off-pathway distal to the ganglion cells.
Theoretical proposals in bullying research: a review

Four decades of research into peer bullying have produced an extensive body of knowledge. This work attempts to provide an integrative theoretical framework, which includes the specific theories and observa- tions. The main aim is to organize the available knowledge in order to guide the development of effective interventions. To that end, several psycholog- ical theories are described that have been used and/or adapted with the aim of understanding peer bullying. All of them, at different ecological levels and different stages of the process, may describe it in terms of the relational dynamics of power. It is concluded that research needs to take this integra- tive framework into account; that is to say to consider multi-causal and ho- listic approaches to bullying. For the intervention, regardless of the format or the target population, the empowerment of the individuals, and the so- cial awareness of the use and abuse of personal power are suggested.
Psychological Correlates of Blood Pressure: A Closer Examination of Hostility, Anxiety, and Engagement

Recent studies by other investigators have shown that hypertensives are more hostile and anxious than normotensives. The first part of this study examined the relationship between blood pressure measured daily over a one-week period and responses to a series of questions specifically developed to distinguish hypertensives from normotensives. Responses from this sample of undergraduates did not distinguish those with high blood pressure from those with normal values. Mean resting blood pressure was related to hostility and anxiety factor scores among males but not among females. Our second study used a sample of municipal employees and examined blood pressure as a function of comparable anxiety and hostility scores as well as a trait measure of overall “engagement-involvement. ” More highly engaged workers were no different in anxiety or hostility than less engaged workers. There was some evidence of more variable blood pressure for the former group. It is suggested that stable personality traits such as hostility and anxiety may both precede and follow the diagnosis of blood pressure. For nurses it is important to assess the patient's general psychological profile as well as his or her emotional state at the time of measurement. Repeated blood pressure readings are recommended especially for highly engaged individuals.
Measurement of cell-bound complement activation products enhances diagnostic performance in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE To determine the value of cell-bound complement activation products in combination with antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (anti-dsDNA), and anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin antibody (anti-MCV) for the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS This was a multicenter cross-sectional study in which 593 subjects were enrolled (210 SLE patients, 178 patients with other rheumatic diseases, and 205 healthy subjects). Complement receptor 1 levels on erythrocytes (ECR1) together with complement C4d levels on erythrocytes (EC4d), platelets (PC4d), and B cells (BC4d) were determined using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Serologic markers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses were performed using area under the curve (AUC), logistic regression, and calculations of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS Anti-dsDNA was an insensitive (30%) but specific (>95%) marker for SLE. Levels of EC4d, BC4d, and PC4d were several times higher, and levels of ECR1 lower, in SLE patients compared to patients with other rheumatic diseases and healthy subjects. Among 523 anti-dsDNA-negative subjects, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SLE was associated with ANA positivity (≥20 units), anti-MCV negativity (≤70 units), and elevated levels of both EC4d and BC4d (AUC 0.918, P < 0.001). A positive index score corresponding to the weighted sum of these 4 markers correctly categorized 72% of SLE patients. Specificity in relation to patients with other rheumatic diseases and healthy controls was >90%. The combination of anti-dsDNA and index score positivity yielded 80% sensitivity for SLE and 87% specificity against other rheumatic diseases. CONCLUSION An assay panel combining anti-dsDNA, ANA, anti-MCV, EC4d, and BC4d is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of SLE.
Factors associated with concordance and variability of sleep quality in persons with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To describe the day-to-day variation in sleep characteristics and the concordance between nighttime sleep of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their family caregivers. PARTICIPANTS N = 44 community-dwelling older adults with probable or possible AD and their co-residing family caregivers. DESIGN Participants wore an Actillume (Ambulatory Monitoring, Inc) for one week and completed an assessment battery to evaluate patient and caregiver mood, physical function, medication use, caregiver behavior management style, and patient cognitive status. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Actigraphically derived sleep measures included bedtime, rising time, total time in bed, total sleep time, number of awakenings, total wake time, and sleep percent (efficiency). For each sleep parameter, total variance was determined for between-subject variance and within-subject variance from day-to-day. Sleep concordance was examined using multinomial logistic regression to compare trichotomous patient-caregiver combinations of good and bad sleepers. For both patients and caregivers, between-subject daily variability accounted for more of the variance in sleep than within-subject variability. Patient depression and caregiver management style were significant predictors both for concordant poor sleep (both patient and caregiver with sleep efficiency < or =85%) and patient-caregiver sleep discordance. CONCLUSIONS This study provides data that sleep disturbances for persons with AD and their family caregivers vary considerably night to night, and that poor sleep in one member of the caregiving dyad is not necessarily linked to disturbed sleep in the other. Understanding the complex interrelationship of sleep in AD patients and caregivers is an important first step towards the development of individualized and effective treatment strategies.
Comparison of the E test and microdilution for detection of beta-lactam-resistant mutants that are stably derepressed for type I beta-lactamase

The activities of cefotaxime, ceftazidime, piperacillin, and aztreonam were compared in the E test and broth microdilution test against 30 gram-negative bacterial mutants derepressed for type I beta-lactamases. The results demonstrated complete agreement between 24-h MICs of 80 to 83% and essential agreement between 24-h MICs of 90 to 97%. When sufficient growth was present for the E test to be read at 6 h, the essential agreement between 6- and 24-h E-test MICs was 100% for ceftazidime, piperacillin, and aztreonam and 85% for cefotaxime.
First record of sponge distribution in the Persian Gulf, (Hengam Island, Iran).

The present study is a first attempt to examine sponge distribution in the Persian Gulf (Iranian costs) and suggests that physical and biological factors influence the sponge distribution patterns in Hengam Island. The purpose of this study is to provide patterns of sponges distribution and depth influence on sponge abundance and biomass on the Hengam Island. Surveys of sponge distribution were conducted June 2006 and February 2007 at 5, 10, 15 and 20 m depths sites in two locations: East and West of the Hengam island. Abundance and biomass of sponges species were surveyed at different depths on the Hengam Island in the Persian Gulf. All data on sponges species number and abundance and biomass in each region of Island were taken by SCUBA diving. Transect sampling in this area revealed distribution of sponges species. The sponges species in this area consist of Callyspongia clavata, Callyspongia vasselli, Hyrtios erectus, Haliclona sp. , Leucetta sp. , Ircinia echinata and Dysidea cinerea. Abundance and biomass of sponges in Hengam Island increased at 15-20 m depths.