Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Affect and willingness to communicate in digital game-based learning

Abstract The possible benefits of digital games for language learning and teaching have received increasing interest in recent years. Games are said, amongst others, to be motivating, to lower affective barriers in learning, and to encourage foreign or second language (L2) interaction. But how do learners actually experience the use of games? What impact does gameplay have on students’ perceptions of themselves as learners, and how does this affect their learning practice? These questions are important as they are likely to influence the success of digital game-based language learning, and as a result the way teachers might integrate games into the curriculum. In this study we investigated the experiences of five students who had participated in a fifteen-week game-based learning program at a university in Thailand. We conducted six interviews with each of them (for a total of 30 interviews) to identify what impact gameplay had in particular on their willingness to communicate in English (MacIntyre, Dörnyei, Clément & Noels, 1998). The results showed that gameplay had a number of benefits for the participants in this study, in particular in terms of lowering their affective barriers to learning and increasing their willingness to communicate. We discuss the implications of these results in terms of further research and classroom practice.
Instrumental speech and noise quality assessment for super-wideband and fullband transmission

Recently super-wideband (SWB) and even fullband (FB) capable communication devices were introduced in the markets providing an audio bandwidth up to 20 kHz. At the same time, the development of speech enhancement algorithms proceeds for SWB/FB applications. To ensure sufficient quality from the end user’s point of view, there is clearly a need for new measurement methods taking into account all perceptional effects when using the increased bandwidth for communication. Especially the signal processing for noise reduction in sending direction has a high influence on the speech quality perceived by the far-end user. The extension to SWB/FB is not a trivial task since all perceptually motivated prediction models are based on a large base of auditory tests and new experiments must be conducted for this purpose. This contribution presents auditory tests in the SWB/FB context, conducted as a basis for the instrumental assessment of speech, noise and global quality.
Antioxidant Capacity and Total Phenolic Content of Aqueous Acetone and Ethanol Extract of Edible Parts of Moringa oleifera and Sesbania grandiflora

Aqueous ethanol and aqueous acetone extracts of Moringa oleifera (outer pericarp of immature fruit and flower) and Sesbania grandiflora white variety (flower and leaf) were examined for radical scavenging capacities and antioxidant activities. Ethanol extract of S. grandiflora (flower and leaf) and acetone extract of M. oleifera (outer pericarp of immature fruit and flower) contained relatively higher levels of total dietary phenolics than the other extracts. The antioxidant potential of the extracts were assessed by employing different in vitro assays such as reducing power assay, DPPH ̇, ABTS ̇+ and ̇OH radical scavenging capacities, antihemolytic assay by hydrogen peroxide induced method and metal chelating ability. Though all the extracts exhibited dose dependent reducing power activity, acetone extract of all the samples were found to have more hydrogen donating ability in DPPH ̇ (2.3% 65.03%) and hydroxyl radical scavenging systems (21.6% 77.4%) than the ethanol extracts. The potential of multiple antioxidant activity was evident as it possessed antihemolytic activity (43.2 % to 68.0 %) and metal ion chelating potency (45.16 104.26 mg EDTA/g sample). The result indicate that acetone extract of M. oleifera (OPIF and flower) and S. grandiflora (flower and leaf) endowed with polyphenols, could be utilized as natural antioxidants/nutraceuticals. Keywords—Antioxidant activity, Moringa oleifera, Polyphenolics, Sesbania grandiflora, Underutilized vegetables.
Prognostic Significance of p53 Protein and X-ray Repair Cross-Complementing Protein 1 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Objectives p53 and XRCC1 protein expression were evaluated in 54 samples of non-small cell lung cancer. Patients and methods The immunohistochemical method was used for detection of the monitored proteins. Tissue samples were divided according to histopathological tumor type. The results were then compared with basic clinical and histopathological parameters (histopathological type, nuclear grade and TNM tumor stage IA, IB). Results Statistically significant correlations were found between histopathological type and p53 expression, since P <0.05 (P = 0.015). Comparing p53 expression with grade resulted in a strong positive correlation (P <0.0396, R2 = 0.9223). The percentage of p53-positive tumors progressively increased from 0% in grade 1 to 75% in grade 4. No correlation was found between p53 expression and tumor stage. In case of XRCC1, the highest level was found in squamous cell lung carcinoma, where 71% of samples was positive. In case of large cell carcinoma samples, it was 67%, and in adenocarcinoma 52% of samples showed XRCC1 immunoreactivity. No statistically significant correlation was found between histopathological type, grade or early stage (IA, IB) of non-small cell lung cancer and expression of XRCC1 protein profile without neoadjuvant therapy. Conclusions We found a statistically significant correlation between p53 expression and histopathological tumor type. It is possible that stabilized p53 protein plays an important role in the development of squamous and large cell carcinoma. Our findings also suggest that p53 expression cumulates with the dedifferentiation of cancer cells. It is possible that the expression of XRCC1 is not fixed and could be changed by the status of cancer cells and in relation to therapy. Relevant data about pre- versus post-chemotherapy and XRCC1 expression are needed to evaluate the influence of XRCC1 on drug resistance. Free full text available at www.tumorionline. it
Longitudinal Analysis of Feline Leukemia Virus-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes: Correlation with Recovery from Infection

ABSTRACT Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a common naturally occurring gammaretrovirus of domestic cats that is associated with degenerative diseases of the hematopoietic system, immunodeficiency, and neoplasia. Although the majority of cats exposed to FeLV develop a transient infection and recover, a proportion of cats become persistently viremic and many subsequently develop fatal diseases. To define the dominant host immune effector mechanisms responsible for the outcome of infection, we studied the longitudinal changes in FeLV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in a group of na|$$|Ad|five cats following oronasal exposure to FeLV. Using 51Cr release assays to measure ex vivo virus-specific cytotoxicity, the emerging virus-specific CTL response was correlated with modulations in viral burden as assessed by detection of infectious virus, FeLV p27 capsid antigen, and proviral DNA in the blood. High levels of circulating FeLV-specific effector CTLs appeared before virus neutralizing antibodies in cats that recovered from exposure to FeLV. In contrast, persistent viremia was associated with a silencing of virus-specific humoral and cell-mediated host immune effector mechanisms. A single transfer of between 2 × 107 and 1 × 108 autologous, antigen-activated lymphoblasts was associated with a downmodulation in viral burden in vivo. The results suggest an important role for FeLV-specific CTLs in retroviral immunity and demonstrate the potential to modulate disease outcome by the adoptive transfer of antigen-specific T cells in vivo.
Bordetella bronchiseptica in a Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patient: Possible Transmission from a Household Cat

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a zoonotic respiratory pathogen commonly found in domesticated farm and companion animals, including dogs and cats. Here, we report isolation of B. bronchiseptica from a sputum sample of a cystic fibrosis patient recently exposed to a kitten with an acute respiratory illness. Genetic characterization of the isolate and comparison with other isolates of human or feline origin strongly suggest that the kitten was the source of infection.
Activation of Toll-Like Receptor-2 by Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Anchors from a Protozoan Parasite1

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors and glycoinositolphospholipids (GIPLs) from parasitic protozoa have been shown to exert a wide variety of effects on cells of the host innate immune system. However, the receptor(s) that are triggered by these protozoan glycolipids has not been identified. Here we present evidence that Trypanosoma cruzi-derived GPI anchors and GIPLs trigger CD25 expression on Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells transfected with CD14 and Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2), but not wild-type (TLR-2-deficient) Chinese hamster ovary cells. The protozoan-derived GPI anchors and GIPLs containing alkylacylglycerol and saturated fatty acid chains or ceramide were found to be active in a concentration range of 100 nM to 1 μM. More importantly, the GPI anchors purified from T. cruzi trypomastigotes, which contain a longer glycan core and unsaturated fatty acids in the sn-2 position of the alkylacylglycerolipid component, triggered TLR-2 at subnanomolar concentrations. We performed experiments with macrophages from TLR-2 knockout and TLR-4 knockout mice, and found that TLR-2 expression appears to be essential for induction of IL-12, TNF-α, and NO by GPI anchors derived from T. cruzi trypomastigotes. Thus, highly purified GPI anchors from T. cruzi parasites are potent activators of TLR-2 from both mouse and human origin. The activation of TLR-2 may initiate host innate defense mechanisms and inflammatory response during protozoan infection, and may provide new strategies for immune intervention during protozoan infections.
DIAGNOSIS OF VITREORETINAL ADHESIONS IN MACULAR DISEASE WITH OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

Purpose: To compare the relative incidence of vitreoretinal adhesions associated with partial vitreous separation within the macula diagnosed with optical coherence tomography (OCT) with that of those diagnosed with biomicroscopy. Methods: The authors obtained linear cross‐sectional retinal images using OCT in patients with selected macular diseases. Additional studies included biomicroscopy, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and B‐scan ultrasonography. Results: Optical coherence tomography was performed on 132 eyes of 119 patients. Vitreoretinal adhesions within the macula were identified using OCT in 39 eyes (30%) with the following diagnoses: idiopathic epiretinal membrane (n = 13), diabetic retinopathy (n = 7), idiopathic macular hole (n = 7), cystoid macular edema (n = 7), and vitreomacular traction syndrome (n = 5). Biomicroscopy identified vitreoretinal adhesions in only 11 eyes (8%). Two distinct vitreoretinal adhesion patterns were identified with OCT, each associated with partial separation of the posterior hyaloid face: focal (n = 25) and multifocal (n = 14). Conclusions: Optical coherence tomography is more sensitive than biomicroscopy in identifying vitreoretinal adhesions associated with macular disease.
Understanding the Concepts and Physiologic Principles of Lymphatic Microsurgery

Abstract Surgical techniques such as lymphaticovenous anastomosis and vascularized lymph node (VLN) transfer are gaining momentum in the treatment of lymphedema. Although surgeons may be technically capable of performing these complex procedures, understanding the normal physiology of the lymphatic system and the pathophysiology of lymphedema is critical to the patient selection process, determining which specific procedure to perform, considering the specific anatomic location of surgery, and optimization of outcomes. To familiarize the plastic surgeon with the pathophysiological principles of lymphatic surgery for lymphedema, this review focuses on lymphatic anatomy, histology, physiology, disease progression, and staging in the context of lymphaticovenous anastomosis and VLN transfer.
Crohn’s-like reaction in diverticular disease

Background—Diverticulitis and Crohn’s disease affecting the colon occur at similar sites in older individuals, and in combination are said to carry a worse prognosis than either disease in isolation. It is possible that diverticulitis may initiate inflammatory changes which resemble Crohn’s disease histologically, but do not carry the clinical implications of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Aims—To evaluate histological features and clinical outcome in individuals initially diagnosed histologically as having both Crohn’s colitis and diverticulitis. Patients—Eleven consecutive individuals having a colonic resection showing histological features of both Crohn’s disease and diverticulitis. Methods—Retrospective review of histological specimens, case notes, and discharge letters. Results—In nine patients, the Crohn’s-like reaction was confined to the segment bearing diverticula. They had no clinical evidence of Crohn’s disease. Conclusion—A Crohn’s-like inflammatory response can be a localised reaction to diverticulitis and does not necessarily indicate chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
The use of cuffed tracheal tubes for paediatric tracheal intubation, a survey of specialist practice in the United Kingdom

Background and objective For more than 50 yr, uncuffed tracheal tubes have been the gold standard for intubation in children under the age of 8 yr. However, recently there has been interest in the use of cuffed tubes in paediatric practice. This survey aimed to benchmark UK practice with regard to tracheal intubation within specialist paediatric centres, exploring current cuffed tracheal tube use in children. Methods A questionnaire was e‐mailed to the paediatric intensive care unit and anaesthetic department clinical leads in all UK specialist paediatric hospitals with a paediatric intensive care unit (n = 30). Information was requested on the use of tracheal tubes across all paediatric age groups, as well as the reasons for non‐use and the incidence of complications attributed to cuffed tubes. Results A total of 20 paediatric intensive care unit and 15 anaesthetic questionnaires were returned, equating to a response rate of 67% and 50%, respectively. Only 5% of the paediatric intensive care unit and 7% of the anaesthetic respondents routinely use a cuffed tube in children under the age of 8 yr. The commonest reason cited in both groups for non‐cuff use was that there is minimal benefit to be gained over using an uncuffed tracheal tube. The most frequent specific indication for use of a cuffed tube was a reduced lung compliance (60% respondents both groups). In all, 45% of the paediatric intensive care unit respondents and 100% of the anaesthetists reported that they did not routinely monitor the intracuff pressure when using a cuffed tube. The incidence of observed complications attributed to the use of cuffed tubes was far higher amongst paediatric intensive care unit consultants (65% vs. 7% anaesthetists); however, the majority in both groups stated that such complications were no more common than when using an uncuffed tube (60% paediatric intensive care unit and 53% anaesthetists). Conclusion Cuffed tracheal tubes are rarely routinely used in children, particularly in the under 8 yr age group, in specialist paediatric centres in the UK. When used, it is predominantly for a specific indication, and the monitoring of intracuff pressure is not routine. Current expert consensus is that complications are equally as common when using a cuffed as an uncuffed tube.
Activation of Mitochondrial Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated K+ Channels via Protein Kinase A Mediates Desflurane-Induced Preconditioning

BACKGROUND:ATP-regulated K+ channels are involved in anesthetic-induced preconditioning (APC). The role of other K+ channels in APC is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that APC is mediated by large-conductance calcium-activated K+ channels (KCa). METHODS:Pentobarbital-anesthetized male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 45 min of coronary artery occlusion and 3 h reperfusion. Thirty minutes before coronary artery occlusion, 1.0 MAC desflurane was administered for 15 min alone or in combination with the large-conductance KCa channel activator NS1619 (1 &mgr;g/g i.p.), its respective vehicle dimethylsulfoxide (10 &mgr;L/g i.p.), the large-conductance KCa channel blocker iberiotoxin (0.05 &mgr;g/g i.p.), or the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89 (0.5 &mgr;g/g intraventricular). Infarct size was determined with triphenyltetrazolium chloride and area at risk with Evans blue. Mitochondrial and sarcolemmal localization of large-conductance KCa channels in cardiac myocytes was investigated with immunocytochemical staining of isolated cardiac myocytes. RESULTS:Desflurane significantly reduced infarct size compared with control animals (7.4% ± 0.8% vs 51.3% ± 6.1%; P < 0.05). Activation of large-conductance KCa channels by NS1619 (7.5% ± 1.8%; P < 0.05) mimicked and blockade of large-conductance KCa channels by iberiotoxin (49.1% ± 7.5%) abrogated desflurane-induced preconditioning. PKA blockade by H-89 abolished desflurane-induced (45.1% ± 4.0%) but not NS1619-induced (9.0% ± 2.4%, P < 0.05) preconditioning. Immunocytochemical staining revealed that large-conductance KCa channels were localized in the mitochondria but not in the sarcolemma of cardiac myocytes. CONCLUSION:These data suggest that desflurane-induced APC is mediated in part by activation of mitochondrial large-conductance KCa channels, and that activation of these channels by desflurane is mediated by PKA.
Physical Activity in Students of the Medical University of Silesia in Poland

Background Medical students and other health care professionals have substantial knowledge of the benefits of regular physical activity. Furthermore, as they have an ethical obligation to prescribe suitable exercises, they can influence their patients' attitude toward physical activity and can become role models for their patients. Physical therapists, who are primary care practitioners, have great potential for promoting physical activity; however, their role is still underestimated by patients and health care professionals. Objective The objectives of this study were to evaluate physical activity level in students of the Medical University of Silesia in Poland and to focus on the role of physical therapist students in promoting physical activity. Design This was a cross-sectional study. Methods The final analysis included 300 students from the schools of physical therapy, midwifery, nursing, pharmacy, cosmetology, and medicine at the Medical University of Silesia. The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to evaluate physical activity level. Results Physical therapist students demonstrated the highest level of physical activity, with 46% demonstrating a high level of physical activity, 54% a moderate level of physical activity, and none a low level of physical activity. The largest group of students with a low level of physical activity comprised students from the school of medicine (26%). Limitations The number of respondents was relatively small. The main study limitations included its cross-sectional nature and the possibility of self-report biases. Further research is warranted to expand the study nationally and determine which factors influence physical activity. Conclusions There was a large group of medical students who, despite being aware of benefits of physical activity, did not meet the recommended level of physical activity. Physical therapist students are well trained and qualified to promote healthy habits and encourage individuals to undertake regular physical activity.
A possible role for primary motor cortex during action observation

Social interaction depends on the ability to infer beliefs and intentions in the minds of others. Little is known about the neural basis of our ability to “read” the intentions of others, but a likely candidate is the mirror-neuron system (MNS). Mirror neurons discharge not only during action execution but also during action observation. It is this property that makes these neurons a possible neural substrate for action understanding. The notion that actions are intrinsically linked to perception was proposed by William James, who suggested that “every mental representation of a movement awakens to some degree the actual movement which is its object” (1). The implication is that observing, imagining, preparing, or in any way representing an action excites the motor program used to execute that same action (2, 3).
Different effects of spinalization and locomotor training of spinal animals on cholinergic innervation of the soleus and tibialis anterior motoneurons

Cholinergic input modulates excitability of motoneurons and plays an important role in the control of locomotion in both intact and spinalized animals. However, spinal cord transection in adult rats affects cholinergic innervation of only some hindlimb motoneurons, suggesting that specificity of this response is related to functional differences between motoneurons. Our aim was therefore to compare cholinergic input to motoneurons innervating the soleus (Sol) and tibialis anterior (TA) motoneurons following spinal cord transection at a low‐thoracic level. The second aim was to investigate whether deficits in cholinergic input to these motoneurons could be modified by locomotor training. The Sol and TA motoneurons were identified by retrograde labelling with fluorescent dyes injected intramuscularly. Cholinergic terminals were detected using anti‐vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) antibody. Overall innervation of motoneurons was evaluated with anti‐synaptophysin antibody. After spinalization we found a decrease in the number of VAChT‐positive boutons apposing perikarya of the Sol (to 49%) but not TA motoneurons. Locomotor training, resulting in moderate functional improvement, partly reduced the deficit in cholinergic innervation of Sol motoneurons by increasing the number of VAChT‐positive boutons. However, the optical density of VAChT‐positive boutons terminating on various motoneurons, which decreased after spinalization, continued to decrease despite the training, suggesting an impairment of acetylcholine availability in the terminals. Different effects of spinal cord transection on cholinergic innervation of motoneurons controlling the ankle extensor and flexor muscles point to different functional states of these muscles in paraplegia as a possible source of activity‐dependent signaling regulating cholinergic input to the motoneurons.
Origin and Proliferation of Multiple-Drug Resistance in Bacterial Pathogens

SUMMARY Many studies report the high prevalence of multiply drug-resistant (MDR) strains. Because MDR infections are often significantly harder and more expensive to treat, they represent a growing public health threat. However, for different pathogens, different underlying mechanisms are traditionally used to explain these observations, and it is unclear whether each bacterial taxon has its own mechanism(s) for multidrug resistance or whether there are common mechanisms between distantly related pathogens. In this review, we provide a systematic overview of the causes of the excess of MDR infections and define testable predictions made by each hypothetical mechanism, including experimental, epidemiological, population genomic, and other tests of these hypotheses. Better understanding the cause(s) of the excess of MDR is the first step to rational design of more effective interventions to prevent the origin and/or proliferation of MDR.