Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring Language Dominance and Bilingual Proficiency Development of Tarahumara Children.

This paper examines the language dominance and oral bilingual proficiency of Tarahumara-Spanish speaking students from Chihuahua, Mexico, within the framework of Cummins' model of bilingual proficiency development. Cummins' model distinguishes between basic interpersonal communicative skills (BICS) and cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP). The children in this study lived in a Tarahumara village and attended a weekday boarding school in which Spanish was the language of instruction and Tarahumara was used as a support in the classroom. Bilingual interviews were conducted with 66 children in grades 1-6 using the Entrevista Bilingue, in which picture stories elicited bilingual dialogue and served as the basis for free narration tasks. Data analysis showed that 29 percent of the children were bilingual, Tarahumara-dominant, and 64 percent were balanced bilinguals who showed comparable, advanced or native-like levels of conversational proficiency and minimally acceptable text production in both languages. The results indicate that exposure to Spanish-only instruction did not result in attrition of Tarahumara conversational proficiency. Findings also indicate that the constructs of BICS, CALP, and language interdependence in the oral domain are applicable to a context of diglossia, and that the Entrevista Bilingue can be a useful tool for teachers. (Contains 20
Predictive Biomarkers and Personalized Medicine Contrasted Outcomes to Ge fi tinib on Tumoral IGF 1 R Expression in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Postoperative Chemoradiation ( GORTEC Trial 2004-02 )

Purpose: Intermediate/high-risk operated patients with head and neck cancer may benefit from the addition of EGF receptor (EGFR) inhibitor gefitinib to chemoradiation. This study was designed to assess improved outcomes and identify predictive biomarkers. Experimental Design: Patients provided informed consent for tumor biomarker analyses and, when eligible, were further enrolled in the therapeutic CARISSA multicenter randomized phase II trial of postoperative irradiation with cisplatin þ gefitinib (GORTEC 2004-02-NCT00169221). Results: Seventy-nine patients were included in the biomarker study, whereas 27 did not meet prerequisites for randomization between gefitinib and placebo. Two-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 65.0% and did not differ between randomized patients treatedwith gefitinib or placebo (P1⁄4 0.85). The similarity of DFS curves between nonrandomized patients (n1⁄4 27), randomized patients without gefitinib (n 1⁄4 27), and randomized patients receiving gefitinib (n 1⁄4 25), and similar histoclinical parameter distributions for all groups, allowed us to conduct statistical analyses on the entire population. On multivariate analysis, elevated expression of PAK1 by Western blotting, CD31 and membranous insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) both by immunohistochemistry was significantly associated with shorter DFS. There was a significant interaction between IGF1R and gefitinib. Gefitinib abolished the prognostic discriminative power of high IGF1R expression; patients with elevated IGF1R expression benefited from gefitinib whereas those with low IGF1R fared worse. Conclusion: Gefitinib treatment affords no significant clinical benefit on DFS in an unselected population of patients with head and neck cancer. Our results point to the potential advantage of personalizing treatment for gefitinib based on tumoral IGF1R expression. This should foster confirmatory analyses in trials involving EGFR-targeting agents. Clin Cancer Res; 18(18); 5123–33. 2012 AACR.
Mitochondrial diversity analysis of Glossina palpalis gambiensis from Mali and Senegal

Abstract. West African riverine tsetse populations of Glossina palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank (Diptera: Glossinidae) were investigated for gene flow, inferred from mitochondrial diversity in samples of 69 flies from Senegal and 303 flies from three river drainages in Mali. Four polymorphic mitochondrial loci were scored. Mean haplotype diversities were 0.30 in Mali, 0 in Senegal and 0.18 over both Mali and Senegal. These diversities estimate the probabilities that two randomly chosen tsetse have different haplotypes. Substantial rates of gene flow were detected among flies sampled along tributaries belonging to the river basins of the Senegal, Niger, and Bani in Mali. There was virtually no gene flow between tsetse in Senegal and Mali. No seasonal effects on gene flow were detected. The implications of these preliminary findings for the implementation of area‐wide integrated pest management (AW‐IPM) programmes against riverine tsetse in West Africa are discussed.
Staging reproductive aging: a comparison of proposed bleeding criteria for the menopausal transition

ObjectiveA staging system for female reproductive aging has recently been proposed. Bleeding criteria are an important component of a staging system, as bleeding patterns are readily observable. Several different bleeding criteria have been proposed, but their concordance and validity have not been evaluated. Five proposed bleeding criteria or markers for the onset of early menopausal transition and four criteria for the onset of the late transition were evaluated using data from the Menstruation and Reproductive History Study, or Tremin Trust. DesignCorrelations between time from age 35 to each marker event were assessed using Kendall’s tau correlation coefficients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to examine associations between the marker events and age at final menstrual period (FMP). ResultsThe first occurrence of marker events for the late menopausal transition demonstrated low to high correlation (r = 0.23 to 0.77), whereas the first occurrence of marker events for the early transition stage demonstrated no correlation to moderate correlation (r = 0.0 to 0.65). After age 40, the occurrence of the marker events distinguished a subgroup of women who were more proximate to their FMP. Differences in years to FMP between women with and without the marker events were greatest in the early to mid-40s and declined with age. ConclusionsA 60-day cycle may be a desirable marker for entry into the late transition stage because of its reliability, proximity to the FMP, and ease of calculation. More work is needed to conceptually define the onset of the early menopausal transition before appropriate bleeding criteria can be established.
Influence of Scan Radius Correction for Ocular Magnification and Relationship Between Scan Radius With Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography

PurposeTo investigate how optical coherence tomography (OCT) modifies the preset scan parameters to correct the errors resulting from ocular magnification, the influence of examiner's final correction of those already modified parameters on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements, the induced change on RNFL thickness measurements and RNFL estimated integrals (RNFL estimated integrals) by adjusting the actual scan radius during RNFL examinations performed by OCT. MethodsThirty-five healthy patients underwent an RNFL examination by OCT four times using different scan radii. The first scan was performed with the preset circular scan diameter of 3.46 mm; the actual scan diameter was different, however, because it was modified by the OCT instrument. The second, third, and fourth scans were generated after readjusting the already modified scan diameter by the examiner to 3.46, 3.20, and 3.60 mm. The relationship of axial length and refractive error with the actual scan radius (with ocular magnification calculated by OCT), with the influence of the examiner's final correction on RNFL thickness measurements, with the relationship between scan radius with RNFL thickness measurements, and with RNFLestimated integrals were investigated. ResultsThe actual scan diameter was found to be primarily determined by axial length (R = 0.97, P < 0.0001), but the influence of refractive error was small (R = −0.26, P = 0.067). Final correction of the actual scan radius by the examiner had a significant influence on RNFL thickness measurements (P = 0.025). RNFL thickness measurements obtained without correction of the actual scan radius for magnification were found to be inversely correlated with axial length (R = −0.54, P = 0.001), whereas no similar relationship was found when RNFL thickness measurements were obtained with correction (R = 0.21, P = 0.11). A reciprocal relationship between 1/scan radius with RNFL thickness measurements (they tended to be thinner as scan radii were increased) was found (R = 0.41, P = 0.169), but RNFLestimated integrals areas were found to be independent of the scan radius (P = 0.521). ConclusionTo increase the accuracy of RNFL thickness measurements, it will be appropriate for the examiner to manually correct the actual scan parameters to the desired or preset ones after their automatic modification performed by the OCT instrument. Keeping the actual scan radius constant for repeated exams is also recommended because RNFL thickness measurements were found to depend on scan size. Alternatively, RNFLestimated integrals could be used because they were found to be independent of the scan size.
Alternative Pathways of Neural Control of the Immune Process

Abstract: Less well established alternative neuromodulatory pathways are neuropeptide‐mediated axon reflexes of sensory neurons, gut immunotrafficing, gut transmucosal transport of endogenous bacterial toxin, and the direct secretion of immunoregulatory cytokines by the brain. TNF‐α and IL‐1ra enter peripheral blood after their intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection. Closed head injury or stroke increases blood IL‐6 and the acute phase response; neuroblastomas immunosuppress by secreting TGF‐β. The IL‐6 that appears in the blood after i.c. v. IL‐1 in the rat is partly derived by secretion from the brain into the superior sagital sinus (Romero et al.; 1996. Am. J. Physiol. 270: R518) and is not dependent on peripheral sympathetic activation. Central endothelium and choroid plexus are potential sources of sagital sinus IL‐6. TNF‐α, which appears in blood after i.c. v. LPS, but not IL‐1β, is due largely to toxin leaving the brain compartment and activating peripheral immunoreactive tissues. Antigens and cytokine immunoregulators drain into cervical lymph. Changes in glial milieu induced by intrinsic neuronal activity could by secretion from brain to blood modulate peripheral immunoreactivity.
Variable line-space gratings: new designs for use in grazing incidence spectrometers.

An account is given of a fundamentally different approach to the use of variable line-space gratings for grazing incidence spectrometers. In the new approach, the gratings are flat and they are placed to intercept the converging beam from a collecting mirror rather than the diverging beam from a slit. This results in (1) small aberrations over a wide instantaneous range in wavelength, (2) a modest required variation in line spacing across the ruled width, (3) a simultaneous minimization of both the spectral and image height aberrations, and (4) a completely stigmatic zero order image. The slitless arrangement common to these designs is very compact, having no additional length behind the focal plane of the collecting mirror. In-plane and conical fan designs are considered. One combination design, in the form of an echelle spectrometer, is discussed. The designs are considered to represent ideal candidates for moderate to high resolution spectrometers on such missions as the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE, now Columbus) and the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF).
Use of a smokers' quitline by Asian language speakers: results from 15 years of operation in California.

OBJECTIVES We examined state quitline utilization by smokers who called Chinese-, Vietnamese-, or Korean-language lines, and compared their usage rates to those of Asians and Whites calling the English-language line. METHODS Using data from 15 years (1993-2008) of operation of the California quitline (which included data on 22 061 callers to Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese lines) and from multiple California Health Interview Surveys, we computed the call rates for Whites, English-speaking Asians, and the 3 Asian-language groups. We also examined callers' demographics and where they heard about the quitline. RESULTS Asian smokers who spoke English were significantly less likely than English-speaking White smokers to call the quitline (odds ratios range from 0.36 to 0.62). Smokers speaking 1 of the 3 Asian languages were no less likely than White smokers to call (odds ratios range from 0.82 to 3.25). More than 80% of those calling the Asian-language lines reported hearing about the quitline through mass media. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to general expectation, smokers speaking Asian languages were just as likely to call the quitline as English-speaking White smokers. State quitlines should consider adding Asian-language lines to help address disparities in access to cessation services.
Five-year clinical performance of porcelain veneers.

OBJECTIVE The overall clinical performance of porcelain veneers was evaluated at 5 years. METHOD AND MATERIALS Porcelain veneers were placed on 87 maxillary anterior teeth in 25 patients (19 to 69 years) by a single operator following a standardized clinical procedure. At the 5-year recall, esthetics, marginal performance, vitality, fracture rate, and patient satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS At recall, 93% of the veneers were satisfactory without intervention. The remaining 7% presented clinically unacceptable problems such as recurrent caries, porcelain fracture, severe clinical microleakage, or pulpal reaction. The retention rate of the porcelain veneers was 100%, and the maintenance of esthetics was perfect. Only 14% of the veneers presented excellent marginal adaptation over the entire outline of the restoration; however, the impact of the slight marginal defects on the clinical performance was negligible. CONCLUSION Labial porcelain veneers offer a reliable and effective procedure for the conservative treatment of discolored, malformed, and malaligned anterior teeth.
Long-term culture in vitro impairs the immunosuppressive activity of mesenchymal stem cells on T cells.

Improved knowledge of the immunological properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) creates a potential cell-mediated immunotherapeutic approach for arthritic diseases. The low frequency of MSCs necessitates their in vitro expansion prior to clinical use. As sequential passage has been used as the most popular strategy for expansion of MSCs, the effect of long-term culture on the immunological properties of MSCs is not clear. In this study, we observed that the morphology of MSCs showed the typical characteristics of the Hayflick model of cellular aging during sequential expansion. The growth kinetics of MSCs decreased while the number of MSCs staining positive for SA β-gal (senescence marker) increased in long-term culture. Although long-term culture exerts less of an effect on the immunophenotype of MSCs, the immunosuppressive effects of MSCs on the allogeneic T-cell proliferation, activation-antigen expression (CD69 and CD25) and cytokine production (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10) were significantly impaired following stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA).
Association between high‐density lipoprotein and cognitive impairment in the oldest old

Low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. At the same time, cardiovascular disease and stroke are important risk factors for dementia. We assessed the association between total and fractionated cholesterol and cognitive impairment and explored whether observed associations were dependent on or independent of atherosclerotic disease. In a population‐based study, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured in 561 subjects 85 years old and grouped in three equal strata representing decreasing serum concentrations. History of cardiovascular disease and stroke was determined. All subjects completed the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the presence of dementia was determined. Median MMSE scores were significantly lower in subjects with low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (25 points vs 27 points, p < 0.001). No differences in MMSE scores were found for other lipids and lipoproteins. MMSE scores in subjects with and without cardiovascular disease were 26 and 27 points (p = 0.007), respectively, and in subjects with and without stroke were 21 and 26 points (p < 0.001), respectively. The associations between low MMSE scores and low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol remained significant after subjects with cardiovascular disease or stroke were excluded. In a comparison of subjects with low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol with subjects with high high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, the odds ratio for dementia was 2.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.2–4.3), and in subjects without cardiovascular disease or stroke, it was 3.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.3–10.1). All odds ratios were unaffected by education, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and survival. Low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. At least part of the association between high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and cognitive function is independent of atherosclerotic disease.
Decreased Theta Event-Related Synchronization during Working Memory Activation Is Associated with Progressive Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: Among the different quantitative electroencephalographic markers, theta activity is known to reflect neural resources involved in memory processes and directed attention. Previous studies suggested that synchronization likelihood analysis in theta-band frequency might be a sensitive method to identify early alterations of neuronal networks in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: We report here a longitudinal study of 24 MCI patients with theta event-related synchronization (ERS) analysis during the n-back working memory task and neuropsychological follow-up after 1 year. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and logistic regression to assess the relationship between cognitive decline and theta ERS. Results: Upon follow-up, 13 MCI patients showed progressive MCI and 11 remained stable. In both groups, the phasic increase in theta amplitude after stimulus presentation did not depend on working memory load and electrode sites. Progressive MCI cases displayed significantly lower theta ERS power over all electrode sites compared to stable MCI cases. Theta ERS was significantly related to the cognitive outcome explaining 15.5% of its variability. In terms of MCI classification, the best combination of sensitivity and specificity was 0.87 and 0.60, respectively, with an area under the corresponding receiver operating characteristic curve reaching 76%. Conclusions: The present data indicate that a decrease in the early phasic theta ERS power during working memory activation may predict cognitive decline in MCI. This phenomenon is not related to working memory load but may reflect the presence of early deficits in directed attention-related neural circuits in MCI.
Solution Structure of a Low-Molecular-Weight Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase from Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT The low-molecular-weight (LMW) protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) exist ubiquitously in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and play important roles in cellular processes. We report here the solution structure of YwlE, an LMW PTP identified from the gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis. YwlE consists of a twisted central four-stranded parallel β-sheet with seven α-helices packing on both sides. Similar to LMW PTPs from other organisms, the conformation of the YwlE active site is favorable for phosphotyrosine binding, indicating that it may share a common catalytic mechanism in the hydrolysis of phosphate on tyrosine residue in proteins. Though the overall structure resembles that of the eukaryotic LMW PTPs, significant differences were observed around the active site. Residue Asp115 is likely interacting with residue Arg13 through electrostatic interaction or hydrogen bond interaction to stabilize the conformation of the active cavity, which may be a unique character of bacterial LMW PTPs. Residues in the loop region from Phe40 to Thr48 forming a wall of the active cavity are more flexible than those in other regions. Ala41 and Gly45 are located near the active cavity and form a noncharged surface around it. These unique properties demonstrate that this loop may be involved in interaction with specific substrates. In addition, the results from spin relaxation experiments elucidate further insights into the mobility of the active site. The solution structure in combination with the backbone dynamics provides insights into the mechanism of substrate specificity of bacterial LMW PTPs.
In situ chlorhexidine substantivity on saliva and plaque-like biofilm: influence of circadian rhythm.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study is to assess in situ substantivity of a single mouthrinse with 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) on saliva and on undisturbed de novo plaque-like biofilm (PL-biofilm), differentiating between two times of application: 1) CHX mouthrinse in the morning; and 2) CHX mouthrinse at night. METHODS The study participants were 10 healthy volunteers who wore an individualized splint with glass disks for 48 hours to boost the growth of PL-biofilm. Saliva samples were collected, and two disks were removed from each volunteer's splint at 8, 10, and 12 hours after performing a mouthrinse with 0.2% CHX at 7:00 am (M-0.2% CHX-diurnal) and 1:00 am (M-0.2% CHX-nocturnal). The saliva and plaque samples were analyzed by epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy, respectively, using a green fluorescent nucleic acid stain/propidium iodide staining. RESULTS With M-0.2% CHX-diurnal, the frequency of vital bacteria in saliva was significantly higher than in the PL-biofilm at 8, 10, and 12 hours after mouthrinse. After M-0.2% CHX-nocturnal, the frequency of vital bacteria in saliva was significantly lower than in the PL-biofilm at 8 hours and higher than in the PL-biofilm at 12 hours after mouthrinse. CONCLUSION These results support the more active physiologic dynamics of the salivary flora and the possible reservoir function associated with the structure of undisturbed de novo PL-biofilm.