Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Viewpoint in the Visual-Spatial Modality: The Coordination of Spatial Perspective

Sign languages express viewpoint-dependent spatial relations (e.g., left, right) iconically but must conventionalize from whose viewpoint the spatial relation is being described, the signer's or the perceiver's. In Experiment 1, ASL signers and sign-naïve gesturers expressed viewpoint-dependent relations egocentrically, but only signers successfully interpreted the descriptions nonegocentrically, suggesting that viewpoint convergence in the visual modality emerges with language conventionalization. In Experiment 2, we observed that the cost of adopting a nonegocentric viewpoint was greater for producers than for perceivers, suggesting that sign languages have converged on the most cognitively efficient means of expressing left-right spatial relations. We suggest that nonlinguistic cognitive factors such as visual perspective-taking and motor embodiment may constrain viewpoint convergence in the visual-spatial modality.
Recycles: the Eco-Ethical Poetics of Found Text in Contemporary Poetry

This essay proposes that the use of found text is particularly prevalent in the work of experimental British and American poets with an interest in environment and ecology. It considers whether this recycling of texts might be considered a form of ecopoetics. Drawing on and drawing together the work of British and American contemporary poets, it examines found text poetry in the light of this thesis by considering three central areas: the methodology employed by poets in their use of found text; the spirit of citation (ranging from homage to satire); and the eco-ethical significance of this practice. The range of poetry referenced illustrates the diversity of found poetry methodologies and introduces the reader to some little known texts by new writers such as Dorothy Alexander, as well as to poems by well-established writers such as Rachel Blau DuPlessis. The essay argues that, in all this work, we see writing in which an eco-ethical stance is embedded in a form that endeavours to stimulate the reader into understanding and action. Further, these found text methodologies work against the capitalist commodification of poetry within a culture that prizes originality and ownership above collaboration and globality. The essay attempts to practise what it preaches by using the poets’ own words on these issues via writers’ notes, interviews and e-mail conversation.
Determinants of intrinsic sensitivity to Vinca alkaloids in xenografts of pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas.

The determinants of intrinsic sensitivity to Vinca alkaloids in vivo were examined in 3 pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma xenografts maintained s.c. in immune-deprived mice. The three lines differed in their sensitivity to VCR and VLB: two lines (Rh12 and Rh28) were extremely sensitive to VCR, whereas Rh18 tumors were less sensitive. Rh28 tumors were also very responsive to VLB, which demonstrated only marginal activity in the other two lines. After administration of equimolar doses (3 mg/kg) of [3H]-VCR and [3H]VLB to tumor-bearing mice, [3H]VCR reached concentrations approaching 1.5 microM in cell water of each tumor line within 4 hr, at which time greater than 93% of the drug was cell-associated. The drug was subsequently retained at this level for at least 72 hr studied. [3H]VLB accumulated to lower maximal concentrations (approximately equal to 1 microM) within 8 hr, but was not retained and, by 72 hr, reached concentrations that were 3- to 4-fold lower than those of [3H]VCR. The extent of drug retention correlated with the antitumor activity except in Rh28 tumors, which were sensitive to VLB, but did not retain the drug. The threshold level for achieving cytotoxicity may, thus, be very low in this line. In normal tissues, maximal concentrations of both [3H]VCR and [3H]VLB were achieved within 1 hr of administration i.p. to tumor-bearing mice. In ileum, liver, and kidney, these were approximately 10-fold higher than the peak levels achieved within tumors or plasma, but declined rapidly to parallel the decrease in plasma reaching concentrations greater than 5-fold lower than the concentration of [3H]VCR in tumors at 72 hr after treatment. Drug concentrations in skeletal muscle also declined rapidly, whereas neither [3H] VCR nor [3H]VLB accumulated to any great extent in brain. The blood volumes of ileum, kidney, and liver were greater than for tumor tissues. Hence, the extent of drug delivery did not necessarily influence therapeutic selectivity. In the case of [3H]VLB, concentrations in tumors approached those of normal tissues at 72 hr after injection. At 24 hr after treatment, 86 to 99% of [3H] VCR and 78 to 90% of [3H]VLB were present in tumors as the parent compound, which also predominated in normal tissues. Metabolites or in vivo degradation products were also identified. Selective retention in tumors appears to be the mechanism by which therapeutic selectivity is achieved with VCR in rhabdomyosarcoma xenografts. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Molecular Docking and Pharmacophore Modeling Studies of Fluorinated Benzamides as Potential CETP Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND Hyperlipidemia is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is a hydrophobic glycoprotein that facilitates the transfer of cholesteryl ester from the atheroprotective high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to the proatherogenic low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). METHODS In this work, synthesis and characterization of five fluorinated 3-benzylamino benzamides 8a-8c, 13a and 13b that target CETP activity were carried out. RESULTS Benzamides 8b and 8a showed the highest CETP inhibitory activities with an IC50 of 0.75 μM and 4.1 μM respectively. It was found that the presence of p-OCF3 group (as in 8a-8c) enhances CETP inhibitory activity more than p-OCF2CHF2 (as in 13a and 13b) which could be attributed to the bulkiness of the tetrafluoroethoxy group hindering their proper orientation in the binding domain. Additionally m-F derivatives were found to have higher activity against CETP than p-F ones leaving the o-F analogues with the weakest anti-CETP bioactivity. CONCLUSION Ligand-based and structure-based drug design strategies confirm that hydrophobic interaction mediates ligand/protein complex formation and explains the activity of our verified molecules.
Isolation of Low‐Molecular‐Weight Proteins from Amyloid Plaque Fibers in Alzheimer's Disease

During aging of the human brain, and particularly in Alzheimer's disease, progressive neuronal loss is accompanied by the formation of highly stable intra‐ and extraneuronal protein fibers. Using fluorescence‐activated particle sorting, a method has been developed for purifying essentially to homogeneity the extracellular amyloid fibers that form the cores of senile plaques. The purified plaque cores each contain 60–130 pg of protein. Their amino acid composition shows abundant glycine, trace proline, and ∼50% hydrophobic residues; it resembles that of enriched fractions of the paired helical filaments (PHF) that accumulate intraneuronally in Alzheimer's disease. Senile plaque amyloid fibers share with PHF insolubility in numerous protein denaturants and resistance to proteinases. However, treatment of either fiber preparation with concentrated (88%) formic acid or saturated (6.8 M) guanidine thiocyanate followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate causes disappearance of the fibers and releases proteins migrating at 5–7.000 and 11–15.000 Mr which appear to be dimerically related. Following their separation by size‐exclusion HPLC, the proteins solubilized from plaque amyloid and PHF‐enriched fractions have highly similar compositions and, on dialysis, readily aggregate into higher Mr polymers. Antibodies raised to the major low‐Mr protein selectively label both plaque cores and vascular amyloid deposits in Alzheimer brain but do not stain neurofibrillary tangles, senile plaque neurites, or any other neuronal structure. Thus, extraneuronal amyloid plaque filaments in Alzheimer's disease are composed of hydrophobic low‐Mr protein(s) which are also present in vascular amyloid deposits. Current evidence suggests that such protein(s) found in PHF‐enriched fractions may derive from copurifying amyloid filament srather than from PHF.
The Relationship between Personality Traits and Stress Levels in Children

This study assessed the relationship between the personality traits and stress levels in children. The Scale of Children Personality Traits and the Scale of Infant Stress were administered. The personality trait dimensions refer to neuroticism, psychoticism, extroversion and sociability, and the stress dimensions refer to levels of stress resistance, alertness, near-exhaustion and exhaustion and the stress reaction types regarding the psychological, psychological with depressing component, psychophysiological and physic types. Fifty children of both genders were assessed; all of them studied in classes from the first to the fourth grades of an elementary public school. The data indicate moderate and positive correlations between the neuroticism and stress levels traits, being mainly evidenced in psychological reactions. On the other hand, the traits psychoticism, ex-troversion and sociability did not present significant correlations with the sample stress levels.
A well-resolved cyclic water tetramer in a dinuclear CuII coordination complex based on 1,2-bis(pyridin-3-yloxy)ethane and capped by pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid.

μ-1,2-Bis(pyridin-3-yloxy)ethane-κ(2)N:N'-bis[aqua(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato-κ(3)O(2),N,O(6))copper(II)] tetrahydrate, [Cu2(C7H3NO4)2(C12H12N2O2)(H2O)2]·4H2O, (I), is a C-shaped molecule based on 1,2-bis(pyridin-3-yloxy)ethane (L) and Cu(II) in the presence of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H2pydc). The two five-coordinated Cu(II) centres are chelated by terminal pydc(2-) ligands and bridged by an L spacer. The molecules are arranged in a two-dimensional sheet via 15 O-H.O hydrogen bonds, and C-H.O interactions further bridge neighbouring sheets into a three-dimensional supermolecular architecture. The structure includes a well-resolved cyclic water tetramer, which acts as a subunit to form a larger aggregate. A thermogravimetric analysis of complex (I) was also carried out.
Micro-Focused Pulse Laser-Induced Propagating Spin Waves in Permalloy Films With Different Thicknesses

Propagating spin waves excited by a micro-focused ultra-short pulse laser were investigated in Permalloy films with the thicknesses of 20, 50, and 100 nm by means of an all-optical space-and-time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect. Although various perpendicular standing spin-wave modes were excited, the propagating magneto-static surface spin wave was clearly detected in each film, where the group velocities of approximately 4, 8, and 12 km/s and the propagation lengths of 3.8, 6.6, and 13 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mu }\text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> for the 20, 50, and 100 nm-thick films, respectively, were evaluated. The evaluated group velocities were consistent with the theoretical values, whereas the propagation lengths were smaller than the theoretical values with the Gilbert damping constant <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\alpha }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 0.008.
Pain measurement in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project: presence, intensity, and location.

OBJECTIVES To describe the rationale for the pain presence, location, and intensity measures in the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP). METHOD Responses to the pain presence, location (pain map), and intensity (verbal descriptor scale) items were analyzed by gender and age (62-69, 70-79, and 80-91). Pain intensity was dichotomized (none to mild vs moderate or higher) and compared by demographics, physical function, mood, and self-rated health. All analyses used Wald tests to compare sample means. RESULTS Participants completed the pain presence (n = 2,430/2,799), location (n = 2,558/2,799), and intensity (n = 2,589/2,799) items. Pain items varied by gender with women reporting more head, arm, hip/buttock, leg, and foot pain compared to men, (p < .05) at each individual site. Women also reported more intense pain compared to men-2.13 versus 1.94, respectively (p < .05). Pain items demonstrated remarkable similarity among age cohorts. Health indicators were significant and in the expected direction (p < .001). An increase in comorbidity, ADL and IADL dependence, worse self-rated health, and more depressive symptoms were each significantly more common among participants who reported moderate or greater pain compared to none to mild pain. DISCUSSION Pain presence, location, and intensity measures were successfully integrated into NSHAP Wave 2 and exhibit construct and external validity.
WriteClick: Editor’s Choice ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS AND CLINICAL PHENOTYPE IN FAMILIAL AND SPORADIC PRIMARY BLEPHAROSPASM

ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS AND CLINICAL PHENOTYPE IN FAMILIAL AND SPORADIC PRIMARY BLEPHAROSPASM Roger Kurlan, Summit, NJ: I read with interest in the article by Defazio et al.1 Their study revealed an evident relationship between eye symptoms and diseases (dry eyes, blepharitis, keratoconjunctivitis) and the occurrence of the dystonic condition primary blepharospasm, both familial and sporadic forms. Although not discussed in their article, I wonder if this link provides insights into the potential underlying mechanisms of blepharospasm. We previously described a series of patients demonstrating coexistent Meige syndrome (blepharospasm/oromandibular dystonia) and myasthenia gravis.2 We raised the possibilities that 1) eyelid/ extraocular muscle fatigue might lead to blepharospasm, perhaps by an abnormal sensory feedback process, and 2) there might be a shared autoimmune basis. The results of the Defazio et al. study may support these possibilities. The ocular symptoms identified in the report by Defazio et al. are typically manifest by dry, irritated eyes which could potentially lead to abnormal sensory feedback that influences the development of disturbed central motor control signals, causing dystonia. A similar abnormal sensory feedback process might result from weak eyes of myasthenia gravis. Autoimmune diseases commonly result in dry, irritated eyes, which might explain a link to blepharospasm. Although controversial,3 localized dystonia following peripheral trauma has been described, again suggesting the possibility of an abnormal sensorymotor loop. In Tourette syndrome it is the form of tics termed dystonic tics4 (motor tics resembling dystonia, such as torticollis-like head/neck twisting or blepharospasm) that are most associated with premonitory sensations, such as an irritation in the eyes preceding eyelid closure tics, causing patients to feel like they need to tic in order to relieve the uncomfortable sensations. In this situation, a centrally generated sensory disturbance (compared to peripherally generated with irritated or weak eyes) might produce the abnormal feedback to the motor system resulting in dystonia.
Long-term follow-up after thoracoscopic resection of solitary pulmonary tuberculoma.

BACKGROUND Pulmonary tuberculosis continues to be a significant health problem, especially due to increasing incidence of multi-resistant mycobacteria and patients with immunodeficiency. Pulmonary tuberculoma, like other solitary lung nodules, can often be a diagnostic challenge; moreover no consensus exists on the management strategy. AIM To analyze the results of tuberculoma treatment with thoracoscopic lung resection, followed by anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT). METHODS All patients who underwent thoracoscopic resection of tuberculoma between 1996 and 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnosis was confirmed morphologically and/or microbiologically. Data were collected from case reports, outpatient medical records, Estonian Tuberculosis Registry and National Population Registry. RESULTS Forty-three patients (25 men, 18 women) with mean age of 43.3 (range 15-68) years were included. Thoracoscopic approach was converted to thoracotomy in three cases. Median postoperative stay in surgical department was four days. No intra-hospital mortality occurred. Eleven patients received pre-operative ATT for 8 to 288 (median 115) days and 42 patients were treated post-operatively for 40 to 672 (median 185) days. One patient defaulted in ATT. First-line drugs were prescribed in 37 and second-line in five patients. During the median follow-up of 9.0 (range 3.2 to 16.1) years, none of the patients developed relapse. CONCLUSIONS Thoracoscopic pulmonary resection provides a minimally invasive opportunity for morphological and microbiological diagnosis of tuberculoma; and results in an excellent cure rate in combination with ATT.
An evaluation of positive behavioural support for children with challenging behaviour in community settings

This study employs a multiple baseline across individual design to describe the implementation of positive behavioural supports for seven children and adolescents in residential community settings over a period of 24 months. These individuals with intellectual disability are residing in one county with long-standing challenging behaviour resulting in home breakdown and serious physical injury. Four types of outcome are presented: rates of behaviour, rates of medication, psychiatric symptomatology and quality of life (QoL). Behaviours reduced to lower levels for the majority of participants following the implementation of positive behavioural supports, and improvements were largely sustained. The use of psychotropic medications reduced or stabilized for the majority of individuals over the same period. QoL Questionnaire scores improved substantially for four participants. The results are discussed in the context of a framework for supporting children with severe challenging behaviours in the community.
Importance of the Lateral View in the Evaluation of Suspected Brain Death

The authors present two cases of clinical brain death that failed to meet the criteria for whole brain death using Tc-99m HMPAO. Conventional anterior cerebral flow studies demonstrated no intracerebral perfusion. Anterior static images also failed to show cerebral activity. However, the lateral images clearly demonstrate cerebellar activity. These cases demonstrate the importance of Tc-99m HMPAO as the agent of choice in evaluating brain death and the necessity of lateral views to meet the criteria for whole brain death. Cerebellar perfusion challenges the present criteria for whole brain death. New criteria must re-evaluate the present technology.
Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure Ventilation in Pediatric Oncology Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure

The aim of the study was to describe our experience with bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilation in oncology children with acute respiratory failure, hospitalized in a single tertiary pediatric tertiary center. This was a retrospective cohort study of all pediatric oncology patients in our center admitted to the intensive care unit with acute hypoxemic or hypercarbic respiratory failure from January 1999 through May 2006, who required mechanical ventilation with BiPAP. Fourteen patients met the inclusion criteria with a total of 16 events of respiratory failure or impending failure: 12 events were hypoxemic, 1 was combined hypercarbic and hypoxemic, and 3 had severe respiratory distress. Shortly after BiPAP ventilation initiation, there was a statistically significant improvement in the respiratory rate (40.4 ± 9.3 to 32.5 ± 10.1, P < .05] and a trend toward improvement in arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2; 71.3 ± 32.7 to 104.6 ± 45.6, P = .055). The improvement in the respiratory status was sustained for at least 12 hours. In 12 (75%) events there was a need for sedation during ventilation; 12 children needed inotropic support during the BiPAP ventilation. Bi-level positive airway pressure ventilation failed in 3 (21%) children who were switched to conventional ventilation. All of them have died during the following days. One child was recategorized to receive palliative care while on BiPAP ventilator and was not intubated. In 12 of 16 BiPAP interventions (75%; 11 patients), the children survived to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) discharge without invasive ventilation. No major complications were noted during BiPAP ventilation. Bi-level positive airway pressure ventilation is well tolerated in pediatric oncology patients suffering from acute respiratory failure and may offer noninferior outcomes compared with those previously described for conventional invasive ventilation. It appears to be a feasible initial option in children with malignancy experiencing acute respiratory failure.
Human papilloma virus and lupus: the virus, the vaccine and the disease

Purpose of review Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a well known, widespread autoimmune disease, involving multiple organ systems, with a multifaceted, widely unmapped etiopathogenesis. Recently, a new aspect of morbidity has been described among SLE patients: infection with human papilloma virus (HPV). We set out to review data regarding the intricate relationship between the two and attempt to determine whether HPV may pose as a contributing factor to the development of SLE. Recent findings We relate to epidemiological, molecular and clinical data. We have found evidence in all these fields suggesting HPV to be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE: increased prevalence of HPV infection among SLE patients; vast molecular homology between viral peptides and human proteins associated with SLE; several reports of SLE development post-HPV vaccination. Our findings suggest a possible involvement of HPV infection in the induction of SLE, via a mechanism of immune cross-reaction due to molecular homology. Summary We review clinical, epidemiological and molecular data suggesting involvement of HPV infection in the pathogenesis of SLE. We suggest that these findings may justify the development of new HPV vaccines containing viral peptides that bear no homology to the human proteome, in order to avoid possible adverse immune cross-reactivity.
Lack of association between CpG island methylator phenotype in human gastric cancers and methylation in their background non‐cancerous gastric mucosae

The presence of high levels of aberrant DNA methylation in gastric mucosae correlates with risk of gastric cancer. Some gastric cancers are known to have methylation of multiple CpG islands (CGI), which is referred to as the CGI methylator phenotype (CIMP). In the present study, we aimed to clarify the possible association between the CIMP in cancers and high methylation levels in their background mucosae by accurate quantitative methylation analysis of 14 carefully selected promoter CGI. Methylation levels were measured in 66 cancers and their background mucosae, along with 19 normal mucosae of healthy volunteers. Methylation in cancers was classified as absent (methylation level = 0%) or positive. The number of methylated CGI in a cancer showed a continuous distribution, and cancers were classified as CIMP high (21 cases), CIMP low (30 cases), or CIMP negative (15 cases). CIMP‐high gastric cancer patients had significantly better survival rates than CIMP‐negative patients. Of the Epstein–Barr virus‐positive gastric cancers studied, eight out of nine presented as CIMP high. Methylation in background mucosae showed a unimodal distribution, and was assessed by their degree. The gastric mucosae of cancer patients showed higher levels than normal gastric mucosae of healthy volunteers. Finally, the CIMP‐high, CIMP‐low, and CIMP‐negative statuses in cancers were not associated with methylation levels of individual genes and their means in the background mucosae. These showed that the CIMP statuses in gastric cancers had no association with methylation levels in the background gastric mucosae. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 1853–1861)