Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automation of nanoscale microcapillary liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with a vented column.

To fully automate the sample introduction step for nanoscale microcapillary liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses, 75 microm i.d. x 14 cm capillary columns were interfaced with a commercial autosampler instrument using a novel procedure which allowed dilute peptide samples to be transferred from the AS loop injector to the nanoscale column at flow rates up to 5 microL min(-1). On-column enrichment and desalting was demonstrated for large sample volumes (>40 microL) by constructing a vent 2 cm after the entrance to the packed bed of 5-microm ODS-AQ modified silica. Salts and nonretained solutes were removed via the vent, which allowed for column washing independent of the continuation of the bed into the electrospray source. Separations of test peptide mixtures demonstrated 50-nL elution peak volumes with low- to subfemtomole detection levels. In addition, a highly complex peptide mixture (outer membrane preparation from Psuedemonas aeruginosa) was efficiently separated with more than 100 proteins identified from a single reversed-phase LC-MS/MS analysis. Finally, the vented column (V-column) was utilized for on-line separations in a multidimensional chromatography/tandem MS experiment where large numbers of strong cation exchange chromatography fractions from a trypsinized yeast lysate were desalted, concentrated, and analyzed in a completely automated fashion. The procedures for constructing and using a V-column require minimal changes in current methods and equipment for nano-LC-MS analyses using columns of 100-microm diameter and smaller.
Comparative Pharmacognostic Studies on Three Species of Portulaca

To compare the structural features and physicochemical properties of three species of Portulaca. Methods: Different parts of Portulaca were examined for macroscopical, microscopical characters. Physicochemical, phytochemical and fluorescence analysis of the plant material was performed according to the methods of standardization recommended by World Health Organization. Results: The plants are succulent, prostrate herbs. Usually roots at the nodes of the stem. Leaves are opposite with paracytic stomata and characteristic Kranz tissue found in C-4 plants. Abundant calcium oxalate crystals are present in all vegetative parts of the plant. Quantitative determinations like stomatal number, stomatal index and vein islet number were performed on leaf tissue. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, steroids and triterpenoids. Conclusions: The results of the study could be useful in setting quality parameters for the identification and preparation of a monograph.
What determines product ramp-up performance? : a review of characteristics based on a case study at Nokia Mobile Phones

We present a conceptual model to explore the essential characteristics that affect product ramp-up performance in the consumer electronics industry, specifically in the mobile phones sector. Our findings are based on data analysis within Nokia’s mobile phones business group. Fast product ramp-ups are particularly critical for companies in which short product lifecycles prevail and in which development teams are required to work on new development projects than spending time with ramp-up support. Our model analyzes, extends and structures the results from other studies into five main characteristics: the product architecture, the product development process, the logistics system, the manufacturing capability and the external environment. We discuss the factors that describe and represent these five main characteristics on a quantitative basis and assess the impact of these characteristics on ramp-up performance with different measures in the model.
Quality Indicators for Learning Analytics

This article proposes a framework of quality indicators for learning analytics that aims to standardise the evaluation of learning analytics tools and to provide a mean to capture evidence for the impact of learning analytics on educational practices in a standardised manner. The criteria of the framework and its quality indicators are based on the results of a Group Concept Mapping study conducted with experts from the field of learning analytics. The outcomes of this study are further extended with findings from a focused literature review.
Some aspects of the development of the notochord in mouse embryos.

Prenotochordal cells are derived by proliferation from the pluripotential ectoderm in the Hensen9s node area, and they migrate in the cephalic direction to be incorporated into the roof of the archenteron. Later, after separation from the archenteron, the notochord probably includes some endodermal cells. Topographically it occupies an intermediate position between the ectoderm and endoderm. In this way it assumes a mesodermal-like character. After separation from the archenteron, the differentiation of the organ and its cells follows a craniocaudal gradient. At the time of separation the basal lamina, originally covering the dorsal side of both the prenotochordal and endodermal cells, remains continuous between the endoderm and the notochord. Its presence from the earliest stages of morphogenesis of the notochord presumably indicates that it plays an important formative role. The cells of Hensen9s node contain numerous microtubules, centrioles and cilia. In later stages fibrillogenesis in the prenotochordal and notochordal cells and excortication (ecdysis) occur. The intracellular fibrillar material in the notochordal cells may first form the basal lamina and later the perichordal sheath. In 12 to 13-day-old embryos, during excortication of the fibrillar material, the basal lamina undergoes disruption and eventually disappears. From the 10th day onwards, the outer plasma membrane shows an active endocytosis, by the formation of micropinocytic vesicles. Vacuolization occurs in the later stages of morphogenesis and it is suggested that this is due to dilation of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. There is no evidence of a syncytial stage in the development of the notochord in mouse embryos.
Investigating the Comparability of a Self-Report Measure of Childhood Bullying Across Countries

Responding to international concerns regarding childhood bullying and a need to identify a common bullying measure, this study examines the comparability of children's self-reports of bullying across five countries. The Pacific-Rim Bullying Measure, a self-report measure of students' experiences with six different types of bullying behaviour and victimization, was administered to 1,398 Grade 5 students from Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, and United States. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory modeling were used to evaluate construct equivalence on the measure across different countries. Preliminary results revealed some construct differences across countries, that is, the bullying measure is measuring one construct, but that the construct is manifested differently in the different countries. En réponse aux inquiétudes partagées par la communauté internationale concernant la présence en enfance de formes d'intimidation et le besoin d'une mesure commune de l'intimidation, cette étude examine la comparabilité de rapports individuels d'enfants de cinq pays différents sur leurs expériences d'intimidations. The Pacific-Rim Bullying Measure, une mesure des rapports individuels d'expériences d'intimidation d'étudiants en fonction de six types de comportement d'intimidation et de victimisation, a été administrée à 1,398 étudiants de cinquième année provenant de l'Australie, du Canada, du Japon, de la Corée et des États-Unis. Une analyse factorielle multi-groupe et une modélisation théorique en fonction des réponses à des items ont été employées pour évaluer l'équivalence des concepts utilisés par cet instrument à travers les pays concernés. Les résultats préliminaires indiquent quelques variations dans les concepts d'un pays à l'autre- c. -à-d. , l'instrument de mesure d'intimidation mesure un concept unique, mais ce concept est manifesté de façon différente de pays en pays.
Helicobacter pylori induces Snail expression through ROS‐mediated activation of Erk and inactivation of GSK‐3β in human gastric cancer cells

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been known to be implicated in human gastric carcinogenesis. Snail, the zinc‐finger transcription factor known as a key inducer of changes in the cell shape and morphogenetic movement, is aberrantly overexpressed and correlates with lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer. In the present study, we investigated whether H. pylori could induce Snail activation to provoke these changes. Using a cell scatter assay, we noticed that human gastric cancer AGS cells infected with H. pylori underwent morphological changes as well as disruption of cell–cell interaction, which was then reversed by silencing of Snail by use of small interfering RNA (siRNA). In addition, infection with H. pylori resulted in an increased intracellular level of Snail in gastric cancer cells, which was abrogated in the presence of U0126 and LY294002, inhibitors of MEK/Erk and PI3K/Akt pathways, respectively. Cycloheximide pulse‐chase experiments coupled with immunocytochemical analysis revealed that the induction of Snail by H. pylori was regulated at multiple levels, including increased transcription of Snail mRNA, inhibition of protein degradation, and enhancement of nuclear translocation of Snail. Pre‐treatment of AGS cells with N‐acetylcysteine, a well‐known reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, attenuated the H. pylori‐induced activation of Erk, its binding to Snail promoter, inactivation of GSK‐3β, and accumulation of Snail. Collectively, these findings suggest that the upregulation of Snail expression induced by H. pylori and transformation to a spindle‐like shape as a consequence in gastric cancer cells are attributable to ROS‐mediated activation of Erk and the inhibition of GSK‐3β signaling. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Changing Clinical, Pathologic, Therapeutic, and Survival Patterns in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Records of 792 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma seen at the Lahey Clinic Foundation over a 40-year period were analyzed; 631 patients had a minimum followup period of 15 years. Differentiated types currently constitute nearly 90% of thyroid carcinomas. The clinical presentation has improved substantially through the years, and the results of treatment generally have improved. The per cent of patients with primarily incurable and locally unresectable disease or distant metastases has decreased from 7% before 1950 to 1% currently, and this group resulted in almost one third of the total fatalities and one half of fatalities within the first 5 years after treatment. Clear relationships were demonstrated between older age, men, extraglandular extension, blood vessel invasion, major capsular involvement, multifocal disease, and higher mortality rates. Lymph node metastases were found to exert a protective effect in all categories of disease analyzed, and this effect was directly related to the number of lymph node metastases present such that no deaths occurred in those patients who had more than 10 node metastases. Surgical treatment recommended is subtotal thyroidectomy for patients at high risk of death from disease as defined by combinations of age, sex, and extraglandular extension. Patients at low risk or with small carcinomas can be treated satisfactorily by lobectomy. Lymph node resections should be of a limited type or a modified neck dissection and should be performed only therapeutically. No improvement, as judged by mortality or recurrence rates, could be demonstrated by the use of radiotherapy after surgery, and its use should be discouraged. Thyroid hormone administered for suppression of endogenous thyroid-stimulating hormone production improved mortality rates significantly in patients with papillary and mixed forms of carcinoma in all age groups but did not affect survival in patients with follicular carcinoma of the thyroid.
Serial neurochemical measurement of cerebrospinal fluid during the human sexual response cycle

Recent studies examining the neuroendocrine response pattern underlying the human sexual response cycle revealed transient activation of the sympathoadrenal system and a substantial, long‐lasting increase in plasma prolactin concentrations following orgasm in men and women. Prolactin has been discussed as being part of a feedback mechanism that signals centers in the central nervous system, such as the dopaminergic system controlling sexual arousal. To further elucidate the central role of neuropeptides, biogenic monoamines and neurotransmitters in human sexual behavior, a serial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)‐sampling technique was implemented using a previously established experimental paradigm for sexual activity in a laboratory setting. In parallel with peripheral endocrine measures, lumbar CSF was drawn via an indwelling spinal catheter during the sexual response cycle in 10 healthy males and 10 age‐matched controls, and analysed for prolactin, oxytocin, biogenic monoamines and/or their metabolites as well as inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter concentrations. Parallel to raised peripheral sympathetic activity, norepinephrine also increased in CSF during audiovisual, masturbation‐induced sexual arousal and orgasm, and remained elevated for the remainder of the session (F4,72 = 8.79, P = 0.000). In contrast, none of the other measures, in particular prolactin and dopamine or its metabolites, reflected significant alteration. In conclusion, the human sexual response cycle is characterized by an increase in sympathetic activity in plasma and CSF, and by pronounced secretion of plasma prolactin after orgasm. However, alterations in dopaminergic or peptidergic activity are not found in lumbar CSF, possibly due to local and restricted release in diencephalic and mesencephalic brain regions.
Pulmonary adenocarcinoma: A renewed entity in 2011

Lung cancer, of which non‐small‐cell lung cancer comprises the majority, is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in the United States and worldwide. Lung adenocarcinomas are a major subtype of non‐small‐cell lung cancers, are increasing in incidence globally in both males and females and in smokers and non‐smokers, and are the cause for almost 50% of deaths attributable to lung cancer. Lung adenocarcinoma is a tumour with complex biology that we have recently started to understand with the advent of various histological, transcriptomic, genomic and proteomic technologies. However, the histological and molecular pathogenesis of this malignancy is still largely unknown. This review will describe advances in the molecular pathology of lung adenocarcinoma with emphasis on genomics and DNA alterations of this disease. Moreover, the review will discuss recognized lung adenocarcinoma preneoplastic lesions and current concepts of the early pathogenesis and progression of the disease. We will also portray the field cancerization phenomenon and lineage‐specific oncogene expression pattern in lung cancer and how both remerging concepts can be exploited to increase our understanding of lung adenocarcinoma pathogenesis for subsequent development of biomarkers for early detection of adenocarcinomas and possibly personalized prevention.
FORMALIN TEXTILE DERMATITIS

E is a widespread belief that the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis from formalin has been rising in recent yeara. Whether the supposed increase is real or apparent is not easy to determine, for it may reflect no more than an increased awareness or speeial interest in the problem. The only helpfnl statistical data have eome from the I)ej)artment of Dermatology at the Finsen Institute in Copenhagen. Dr. Paul Bonnevie published his remarkable thesis on the aetiology and ])athogeneHis of eczema in 1030. Over a ])eriod of about one year he patch tested all patients with any type of eczematous dermatosis who attended the department, using a standard series of twentj'-four substances, including formalin. With admirable foresight this practice has been continued ever sinee by his successors at the Finsen Institute. Marcussen (10B2) has recently analysed the results of this test procedure over a ])oriod of twenty-three years. Since the procedures, and even some of the investigators, have remained Kubstantialiy unchanged throughout this time, a fairly accurate estimate of tho trends in sensitivity reactions to individual substances can be made (at least for Denmark). Although the proportion of patients who give a positive reaction to one or more substances, out of the total tested, has r emained constant at about 25% to 30%. the incidence of reactions to individual substances has shown wide variations. Tiie number of ]>atients witli positive reactions to formahn haa shown an absolute and a relative increase, particularly over the past decade.
Noninvasive Monitoring of Lung Recruitment Maneuvers in Morbidly Obese Patients: The Role of Pulse Oximetry and Volumetric Capnography

BACKGROUND:We conducted this study to determine whether pulse oximetry and volumetric capnography (VCap) can determine the opening and closing pressures of lungs of anesthetized morbidly obese patients. METHODS:Twenty morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery with capnoperitoneum were studied. A lung recruitment maneuver was performed in pressure control ventilation as follows: (1) During an ascending limb, the lungs’ opening pressure was detected. After increasing positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) from 8 to 16 cm H2O, fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) was decreased until pulse oximetric arterial saturation (SpO2) was <92%. Thereafter, end-inspiratory pressure was increased in steps of 2 cm H2O, from 36 to a maximum of 50 cm H2O. The opening pressure was attained when SpO2 exceeded 97%. (2) During a subsequent decreasing limb, the lungs’ closing pressure was identified. PEEP was decreased from 22 to 10 cm H2O in steps of 2 cm H2O. The closing pressure was determined as the PEEP value at which respiratory compliance decreased from its maximum value. We continuously recorded lung mechanics, SpO2, and VCap. RESULTS:The lungs’ opening pressures were detected at 44 (4) cm H2O (median and interquartile range) and the closing pressure at 14 (2) cm H2O. Therefore, the level of PEEP that kept the lungs without collapse was found to be 16 (3) cm H2O. Using respiratory compliance as a reference, receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that SpO2 (area under the curve [AUC] 0.80 [SE 0.07], sensitivity 0.65, and specificity 0.94), the elimination of CO2 per breath (AUC 0.91 [SE 0.05], sensitivity 0.85, and specificity 0.98), and Bohr’s dead space (AUC 0.83 [SE 0.06], sensitivity 0.70, and specificity 0.95] were relatively accurate for detecting lung collapse during the decreasing limb of a recruitment maneuver. CONCLUSIONS:Lung recruitment in morbidly obese patients could be effectively monitored by combining noninvasive pulse oximetry and VCap. SpO2, the elimination of CO2, and Bohr’s dead space detected the individual’s opening and closing pressures.
Cracking Brazil's Forest Code

Brazil's controversial new Forest Code grants amnesty to illegal deforesters, but creates new mechanisms for forest conservation. Roughly 53% of Brazil's native vegetation occurs on private properties. Native forests and savannahs on these lands store 105 ± 21 GtCO2e (billion tons of CO2 equivalents) and play a vital role in maintaining a broad range of ecosystem services (1). Sound management of these private landscapes is critical if global efforts to mitigate climate change are to succeed. Recent approval of controversial revisions to Brazil's Forest Code (FC)—the central piece of legislation regulating land use and management on private properties—may therefore have global consequences. Here, we quantify changes resulting from the FC revisions in terms of environmental obligations and rights granted to land-owners. We then discuss conservation opportunities arising from new policy mechanisms in the FC and challenges for its implementation.
AKR1B10: A New Diagnostic Marker of Non–Small Cell Lung Carcinoma in Smokers

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of the cases. Even the most innovative therapeutic regimens do not increase overall 5-year survival rates for NSCLC to >15%. Early detection methods could lead to intervention
Optic Disc Melanocytoma Report of 5 Patients From Singapore With a Review of the Literature

Purpose The aim of this study was to report the clinical features of optic disc melanocytoma (ODMC). Design This study was a retrospective case series. Methods Five patients (6 eyes) with ODMC followed up over a mean duration of 3 years (range, 4–61 months) were included in this series. Results The mean age of diagnosis was 55.2 years with Chinese female predominance. Four of 6 ODMCs were unilateral with predominance to the left side. Four patients had visual acuity of 6/9 or better at presentation, and all ODMCs were discovered incidentally. All ODMCs were black, with an average size of 0.8 disc diameter and partially covering the optic disc. Five of 6 ODMCs were inferiorly located and involved adjacent choroid and retina. Three of 6 ODMCs had ill-defined borders. Fundus fluorescein angiogram findings in 1 patient showed blocked fluorescence due to pigments. No loss of visual acuity of 2 or more Snellen lines, ODMC enlargement, or malignant transformation were noted in any patients during follow-up. There were no local complications. Ocular and systemic associations were not seen. Conclusions Our case series did not show any features of progression during our follow-up. Annual fundoscopic examinations are still important to detect enlargement and malignant transformation.
Using a bus service for transporting sputum specimens to the Central Reference Laboratory: effect on the routine TB culture service in Malawi.

SETTING All non-private hospitals in Malawi that registered TB cases in 2001, during which there was a bus service for transporting sputum specimens to the Central Reference Laboratory (CRL) for mycobacterial culture and drug sensitivity testing (CDST). OBJECTIVES To determine the performance of the system of collecting and processing sputum specimens from patients with recurrent smear-positive pulmonary TB through to CDST. DESIGN Structured interviews with TB Officers, and retrospective data collection using TB and laboratory registers. RESULTS There were 964 patients with recurrent smear-positive PTB. TB Officers took responsibility for collecting and transporting sputum to the CRL, and 73% reported using the bus service. Sputum specimens from 384 (40%) patients arrived at the CRL. Of these, 40% were found to have negative concentrated smears at the CRL, and 36% of specimen sets arriving at CRL were successfully cultured for DST. Most specimens had been collected after the start of anti-tuberculosis treatment. Although delays in collection adversely affected culture, only 43% of specimen sets collected on or before the first day of treatment yielded Mycobacterium tuberculosis. CONCLUSION Problems were identified at all stages of the system and strategies to remedy these are being put in place.