Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nucleic Acids Research

By employing SI nuclease mapping of total RNA isolated from porcine cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hypothalamus, pituitary, kidney, liver, pancreas, intestine, and antral mucosa, we have investigated gastrin gene expression in these tissues. Our results show that a gastrin gene is expressed only in the antral mucosal and pituitary tissues. Based on the amount of gastrin specific probe protected from SI nuclease digestion in the presence of a given weight of total RNA, the amount of gastrin mRNA present in pituitary is approximately 330 times lower than in antral mucosa. These findings help establish the tissue distribution of gastrin gene expression. INTRODUCTION Gastrin, a peptide hormone, is one of the most studied gastrointestinal hormones for its chemistry and physiology (1). The major physiological actions of gastrin are regulation of gastric acid secretion, antral smooth muscle activity, and growth of gastric mucosa (2). The primary physiological source of the hormone is the pyloric antral mucosa in the mammalian stomach. Relatively smaller amounts of gastrin have been found in the small intestine (chiefly in duodenum)(3) and in the pituitary (4). The localization of gastrin in these tissues was made immunologically by radioimmunoassay and by immunocytochemistry of the respective tissues. Since the gastrin specific antibodies employed in these studies could have crossreacted with cholecystokinin (CCK), which is present in small intestine and brain, the significance of these results have been viewed with extreme caution (5). To determine whether a gastrin gene is expressed in any of the major tissues of the brain and gut other than antral mucosa, we employed SI nuclease mapping of total RNA as a means of detecting gastrin specific mRNA in several porcine tissues. In this paper, we report our finding that a gastrin gene is expressed only in the pituitary and antral mucosal tissues, among the several tissues examined. Our results are consistent with the previous contention that gastrin is present in the porcine pituitary as well as in antral mucosal tissues. C IRL Press Limited, Oxford, England. 7299 Nucleic Acids Research
Addressing False Positives in Early Reading Assessment Using Intervention Response Data

The current study examined a solution to high false positive reading risk classification rates in early kindergarten by investigating a method of identifying students with possible false positive risk classifications and returning them to general classroom instruction. Researchers assessed kindergarten students (N = 105) identified as at risk who were participating in a full-year Tier 2 reading intervention program. Students with very strong initial curriculum mastery (n = 9) were identified as having possible false positive risk classifications and returned to general classroom Tier 1 instruction. Very strong responders who were exited from intervention (i.e., exited strong responders) scored above the risk range across multiple reading measures at the end of the year and performed similarly to a historical comparison cohort who remained in intervention services for the entire year (i.e., treated strong responders). Results suggest that kindergarten students with false positive risk classifications can be identified after a period of intervention services and successfully returned to general classroom instruction.
Mindfulness-based interventions in secondary education: a qualitative systematic review / Intervenciones basadas en mindfulness en educación secundaria: una revisión sistemática cualitativa

Abstract In order to study the effects of mindfulness meditation interventions administered to adolescents within their educational institutions, a qualitative systematic review was conducted. Sixteen studies published in main databases were analysed. The results show that mindfulness, as a prevention strategy in educational contexts, resulted in significant changes in the followings variables: (a) psychological (e.g., reduction in depressive symptoms); (b) psychosocial (e.g., increased social skills); and (c) physiological (e.g., improvement of blood pressure). Although the results were conclusive, their interpretation and generalization should be carefully analysed as there were no medium- and long-term follow-up evaluations, in addition to the fact that there has been a minimal assessment of the psychological mechanisms involved in the change processes.
Value of critical flicker frequency and psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score in diagnosis of low-grade hepatic encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Critical flicker frequency (CFF) and psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) analyses are widely used to diagnose hepatic encephalopathy (HE), but little is known about their value in the diagnosis of low-grade HE. METHODS The diagnostic values of CFF and PHES were compared using a computerized test battery and West Haven criteria as reference. We performed CFF analysis on 559 patients with cirrhosis and 261 without (controls). Of these 820 patients, 448 were evaluated using a modified PHES system and 148 were also evaluated using the conventional PHES system. RESULTS CFF distinguished between patients with overt HE and without minimal or overt HE in the entire study population with 98% sensitivity and 94% specificity and in the subgroup of patients who were evaluated by conventional PHES with 97% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Conventional PHES identified patients with overt HE with 73% sensitivity and 89% specificity. CFF distinguished between patients with and without minimal HE with only 37% sensitivity but 94% specificity (entire study population). In the subgroup of patients evaluated by conventional PHES, CFF distinguished between patients with and without minimal HE with 22% sensitivity and 100% specificity; these values were similar to those for conventional PHES (30% sensitivity and 89% specificity). The modified PHES distinguished between patients with and without minimal HE with 49% sensitivity and 74% specificity. The diagnostic agreement values between CFF and conventional or modified PHES in patients with minimal HE were only 54% or 47%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In an analysis of patients with cirrhosis and controls, CFF distinguished between patients with overt HE and without minimal or overt HE. PHES testing produced a statistically significant difference among groups, but there was considerable overlap between controls and patients with overt HE. PHES, CFF, and a combination of PHES and CFF could not reliably distinguish patients with minimal HE from controls or those with overt HE.
ADAM33, a New Candidate for Psoriasis Susceptibility

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder with multifactorial etiology. In a recent study, we reported results of a genome-wide scan on 46 French extended families presenting with plaque psoriasis. In addition to unambiguous linkage to the major susceptibility locus PSORS1 on Chromosome 6p21, we provided evidence for a susceptibility locus on Chromosome 20p13. To follow up this novel psoriasis susceptibility locus we used a family-based association test (FBAT) for an association scan over the 17 Mb candidate region. A total of 85 uncorrelated SNP markers located in 65 genes of the region were initially investigated in the same set of large families used for the genome wide search, which consisted of 295 nuclear families. When positive association was obtained for a SNP, candidate genes nearby were explored more in detail using a denser set of SNPs. Thus, the gene ADAM33 was found to be significantly associated with psoriasis in this family set (The best association was on a 3-SNP haplotype P = 0.00004, based on 1,000,000 permutations). This association was independent of PSORS1. ADAM33 has been previously associated with asthma, which demonstrates that immune system diseases may be controlled by common susceptibility genes with general effects on dermal inflammation and immunity. The identification of ADAM33 as a psoriasis susceptibility gene identified by positional cloning in an outbred population should provide insights into the pathogenesis and natural history of this common disease.
Perceived Steward Success and Leadership Efficacy: The Role of Gender Similarity

We investigated the interactive effect of gender similarity and the selfefficacy induction mode of vicarious experience (modeling) on leadership self-efficacy in a union. Members of a local union responded to a mail-in survey that included items on modeling (perceived steward success), selfefficacy to be a steward, and gender of member and steward. We proposed that the effect of modeling on self-efficacy to be a steward would be augmented by gender as a shared attribute of members and stewards. In particular, we hypothesized that positive modeling-efficacy relationships would be strongest in the same-gender (women with women stewards, men with men stewards) and weakest in cross-gender cases (women with men stewards, men with women stewards). The results confirmed our hypothesis. We offered intervention suggestions that might be used to increase the potency of modeling in developing future union leaders, especially women leaders. *This research was supported by an Oakland University Research Fellowship awarded to the first author. An earlier version of this article was presented at the 2005 Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago.
Robot Simultaneous Localization and Mapping Based on Non-Linear Interacting Multiple Model

To investigate robot simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) in the unknown environment, the non-linear interacting multiple model (IMM) SLAM algorithm is applied to solve the problem concerning the statistical property mutation of a system. The key point of this algorithm is to use non-linear Gaussian model to approximate non-linear and non-Gaussian model so that robot Simultaneous Localization and Mapping can be achieved. Each model employs the extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm to linearize the non-linear system and uses the non-linear interacting multiple model algorithm in each step to get fusion estimated value. The Monte Carlo simulation results indicate that when the process covariance and observation covariance change, the non-linear interacting multiple model SLAM algorithm has better estimate precision compared with EKF-SLAM algorithm and Fast-SLAM algorithm.
The Role of Extrinsic and Intrinsic Factors in the Evolution of the Control of Pulmonary Surfactant Maturation during Development in the Amniotes

Pulmonary surfactant is a mixture of lipids and proteins that is secreted by alveolar Type II cells. It reduces alveolar surface tension and hence the work of breathing. Despite the tremendous diversity of lung structures amongst the vertebrates, the composition of surfactant is highly conserved. Conserved elements of the surfactant system amongst distantly related species are likely to be crucial factors for successful lung development. Understanding the mechanisms by which the surfactant system becomes operational in animals with dramatically different birthing strategies and in distantly related species will provide important information about the role of the surfactant system in the commencement of air breathing and the processes regulating surfactant maturation and secretion. In mammals, the embryonic maturation of the surfactant system is controlled by a host of factors, including glucocorticoids, thyroid hormones, and autonomic neurotransmitters. Here we review the mechanisms controlling the maturation of surfactant production, including birthing strategy, phylogeny, lung structure, and posthatching environment. Using four species of egg‐laying amniote (chicken, dragon lizard, sea turtle, and crocodile) previously described in detail and the large amount of information available for mammals, we examine the hypothesis that the control of surfactant production is dependent on glucocorticoids (dexamethasone [Dex]), thyroid hormones (T3), and autonomic neurotransmitters (epinephrine and carbachol). We also examine whether the overall intrinsic pattern of the control of surfactant maturation is conserved throughout the vertebrate radiation and then how the environment (extrinsic factors) may account for the observed differences in the patterns of development. We also discuss the utility of a coculture system of embryonic Type II cells and fibroblasts to determine the evolutionary pattern behind the control of surfactant and to demonstrate that the surfactant system matures under multihormonal control. We demonstrate that Dex and T3 are stimulators of surfactant production during embryonic development, but they lose their efficacy closer to hatching or birth. Epinephrine stimulates surfactant secretion beyond 75% of development and also after hatching or birth. Carbachol stimulates surfactant secretion in the bearded dragon and saltwater crocodile but not in the sea turtle, chicken, or mammals. It is likely that the differences in control of surfactant development are likely to be primarily related to metabolic activity and the duration of incubation (i.e., the “speed” of development). Moreover, the hormones examined appear important in promoting development and therefore appear conserved within the amniotes. However, the autonomic neurotransmitters induced different responses in different species. Hence, some factors are crucial for the proper maturation of the surfactant system, whereas others vary throughout evolution without being detrimental to the overall function of the system.
The Importance of Physiologically Relevant Cell Lines for Studying Virus–Host Interactions

Viruses interact intimately with the host cell at nearly every stage of replication, and the cell model that is chosen to study virus infection is critically important. Although primary cells reflect the phenotype of healthy cells in vivo better than cell lines, their limited lifespan makes experimental manipulation challenging. However, many tumor-derived and artificially immortalized cell lines have defects in induction of interferon-stimulated genes and other antiviral defenses. These defects can affect virus replication, especially when cells are infected at lower, more physiologically relevant, multiplicities of infection. Understanding the selective pressures and mechanisms underlying the loss of innate signaling pathways is helpful to choose immortalized cell lines without impaired antiviral defense. We describe the trials and tribulations we encountered while searching for an immortalized cell line with intact innate signaling, and how directed immortalization of primary cells avoids many of the pitfalls of spontaneous immortalization.
The presence of entrepreneurial opportunity

Beginning in a critique of conceptualisations of entrepreneurial opportunity dominant in economics and entrepreneurship studies we draw on both the heterodox economics of G.L. S. Shackle and perspectives from phenomenology to recast entrepreneurship as an imaginative act of ‘making present’ unfolding through time and lived experience. We develop both the critique and the alternative perspective through a double reading of the case of T.E. Thomson and Co., a merchant house established in Calcutta in 1834.
Living Invisible: HTLV-1-Infected Persons and the Lack of Care in Public Health

Introduction Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection is intractable and endemic in many countries. Although a few individuals have severe symptoms, most patients remain asymptomatic throughout their lives and their infections may be unknown to many health professionals. HTLV-1 can be considered a neglected public health problem and there are not many studies specifically on patients' needs and emotional experiences. Objective To better understand how women and men living with HTLV-1 experience the disease and what issues exist in their healthcare processes. Methods A qualitative study using participant observation and life story interview methods was conducted with 13 symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, at the outpatient clinic of the Emilio Ribas Infectious Diseases Institute, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Results and Discussion The interviewees stated that HTLV-1 is a largely unknown infection to society and health professionals. Counseling is rare, but when it occurs, focuses on the low probability of developing HTLV-1 related diseases without adequately addressing the risk of infection transmission or reproductive decisions. The diagnosis of HTLV-1 can remain a stigmatized secret as patients deny their situations. As a consequence, the disease remains invisible and there are potentially negative implications for patient self-care and the identification of infected relatives. This perception seems to be shared by some health professionals who do not appear to understand the importance of preventing new infections. Conclusions Patients and medical staff referred that the main focus was the illness risk, but not the identification of infected relatives to prevent new infections. This biomedical model of care makes prevention difficult, contributes to the lack of care in public health for HTLV-1, and further perpetuates the infection among populations. Thus, HTLV-1 patients experience an “invisibility” of their complex demands and feel that their rights as citizens are ignored.
Orofacial granulomatosis in childhood—a clinical entity that may indicate Crohn's disease as well as food allergy

Aim: Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is a rare clinical entity with orofacial swelling in association with oral lesions such as mucosal oedema, ulcerations and mucosal tags. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the connection between OFG in childhood and systemic disease.
Updates from the EMBL-EBI RDF platform

The EBI RDF platform[1] was released in 2013 and provides access to several EBI databases as RDF Linked Data. The RDF platform provides a SPARQL endpoints and a Linked Data browser to the data in addition to making data dumps available over FTP. At release the RDF platform contained data from the Reactome, BioModels, BioSamples, Gene Expression Atlas and ChEMBL databases in addition to the collaboration with Uniprot to deliver Uniprot RDF. Since the release, additional EBI databases have begun generating RDF exports that will be made available via the RDF platform. These include the Ensembl core data and the text-mined data from Europe PubMedCentral. Additional datasets in preparation are the Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) dataset, a new version of the Expression Atlas data and the complete set of ontologies from the Ontology Lookup Service (OLS).
Arab and Muslim Political Attitudes: Stereotypes and Evidence from Survey Research

Although the administration of President George W. Bush insists that the U.S. War on Terrorism is not a war on Islam, too many Americans seem to view it that way. A national poll taken by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research following the attack of September 11, 2001, found that 54 percent expressed the view that the attack was motivated by a conflict between Christianity and Islam. Even more disturbing are the statements of some religious figures in the U.S. For example, Rev. Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham and a well-known evangelist in his own right, said of Islam, “I believe it’s a very evil and wicked religion. ” This and a sampling of other offensive references to Islam by prominent American conservatives are summarized by Nicholas Kristof in an important New York Times article published this summer.1 Mr. Kristof concludes that if we expect Muslim leaders to confront the hate-mongers in their societies, we must confront those here in the U.S. Yet another illustration is the reaction of some conservatives to a plan by the University of North Carolina to assign a book on Islam to incoming freshmen. The Family Policy Network, a conservative Christian organization, filed suit against the university. Fox News Network talk-show host Bill O’Reilly denounced the teaching of “our enemy’s religion” and compared the assignment to teaching Mein Kampf in 1941.2 Finally, there is the well-known “Clash of Civilizations” thesis, in which Professor Samuel Huntington of Harvard argues that cultural and religious differences are a major cause of international conflict in the post–Cold War era and asserts that Islam in particular encourages Muslim aggressiveness toward non-Muslim peoples. According to Huntington, “Some Westerners have argued that the West does not have problems with Islam but only with violent Islamic extremists…But evidence to …
Infectious Entry by Amphotropic as well as Ecotropic Murine Leukemia Viruses Occurs through an Endocytic Pathway

ABSTRACT Infectious entry of enveloped viruses is thought to proceed by one of two mechanisms. pH-dependent viruses enter the cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis and are inhibited by transient treatment with agents that prevent acidification of vesicles in the endocytic pathway, while pH-independent viruses are not inhibited by such agents and are thought to enter the cell by direct fusion with the plasma membrane. Nearly all retroviruses, including amphotropic murine leukemia virus (MuLV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1, are classified as pH independent. However, ecotropic MuLV is considered to be a pH-dependent virus. We have examined the infectious entry of ecotropic and amphotropic MuLVs and found that they were equally inhibited by NH4Cl and bafilomycin A. These agents inhibited both viruses only partially over the course of the experiments. Agents that block the acidification of endocytic vesicles also arrest vesicular trafficking. Thus, partial inhibition of the MuLVs could be the result of virus inactivation during arrest in this pathway. In support of this contention, we found that that the loss of infectivity of the MuLVs during treatment of target cells with the drugs closely corresponded to the loss of activity due to spontaneous inactivation at 37°C in the same period of time. Furthermore, the drugs had no effect on the efficiency of infection under conditions in which the duration of infection was held to a very short period to minimize the effects of spontaneous inactivation. These results indicate that the infectious processes of both ecotropic and amphotropic MuLVs were arrested rather than aborted by transient treatment of the cells with the drugs. We also found that infectious viruses were efficiently internalized during treatment. This indicated that the arrest occurred in an intracellular compartment and that the infectious process of both the amphotropic and ecotropic MuLVs very likely involved endocytosis. An important aspect of this study pertains to the interpretation of experiments in which agents that block endocytic acidification inhibit infectivity. As we have found with the MuLVs, inhibition of infectivity may be secondary to the block of endocytic acidification. While this strongly suggests the involvement of an endocytic pathway, it does not necessarily indicate a requirement for an acidic compartment during the infectious process. Likewise, a lack of inhibition during transient treatment with the drugs would not preclude an endocytic pathway for viruses that are stable during the course of the treatment.