Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ventral Neural Progenitors Switch toward an Oligodendroglial Fate in Response to Increased Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) Activity: Involvement of Sulfatase 1 in Modulating Shh Signaling in the Ventral Spinal Cord

In the embryonic chick ventral spinal cord, the initial emergence of oligodendrocytes is a relatively late event that depends on prolonged Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling. In this report, we show that specification of oligodendrocyte precursors (OLPs) from ventral Nkx2.2-expressing neural progenitors occurs precisely when these progenitors stop generating neurons, indicating that the mechanism of the neuronal/oligodendroglial switch is a common feature of ventral OLP specification. We further show that an experimental early increase in the concentration of Shh is sufficient to induce premature specification of OLPs at the expense of neuronal genesis indicating that the relative doses of Shh received by ventral progenitors determine whether they become neurons or glia. Accordingly, we observe that the Shh protein accumulates at the apical surface of Nkx2.2-expressing cells just before OLP specification, providing direct evidence that these cells are subjected to a higher concentration of the morphogen when they switch to an oligodendroglial fate. Finally, we show that this abrupt change in Shh distribution is most likely attributable to the timely activity of Sulfatase 1 (Sulf1), a secreted enzym that modulates the sulfation state of heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Sulf1 is expressed in the ventral neuroepithelium just before OLP specification, and we show that its experimental overexpression leads to apical concentration of Shh on neuroepithelial cells, a decisive event for the switch of ventral neural progenitors toward an oligodendroglial fate.
Biological activities of Schefflera leucantha.

This study investigated various biological activities of the ethanolic extract of dried ground leaves of Schefflera leucantha Viguier (Araliaceae). The extract possessed very low cytotoxicity to brine-shrimp with the LC(50) of 4,111.15 microg/ml; the significant antioxidant activity on DPPH with the EC(50) of 71.90 microg/ml; the inhibitory activity on mushroom tyrosinase with the IC(50) of 10.53 mg/ml using the dopachrome microplate-assay. The extract of 5-20 mg/ml range in the agar dilution assay were active against various pathogenic microbial (11 species, 11 strains), with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5 mg/ml against Clostridium spp. ; MIC=10 mg/ml against enteropathogens as Bacteroides spp. , Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Lactobacillus spp. , Peptococcus spp. and Streptococcus mutans; MIC=10 mg/ml against a pneumonia causing bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and a dermatopathogen as Propionibacterium acnes; MIC=20 mg/ml against dermatopathogens as Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Streptococcus spp. and Candida albicans ATCC 90028. TLC fingerprints of the specific extracts from the leaf powder exhibited zones of steroids-terpenes and flavonoids. HPLC fingerprint of the flavonoid extract was performed.
Fuzzy Performance Evaluation of Workflow Stochastic Petri Nets by Means of Block Reduction

Workflow management becomes increasingly important in today's information-oriented society. An important research area of workflow management is performance analysis that is driven by the need for improved efficiency of business processes. The study of the performance of a workflow process, as the focus of this paper, requires the estimation of the duration of tasks, which is often unpredictable and nondeterministic. Current research in this field has focused on workflow stochastic Petri nets (PNs)-which are a class of workflow nets with exponential distributed execution times assigned to transitions. In this paper, in order to deal with this uncertainty, we use fuzzy estimators constructed from statistical data to describe time, and we present an analytical method to proceed with the performance evaluation of workflow stochastic PNs based on block reduction. A comparison example is provided to show the benefits of the proposed method.
The p38 and JNK Pathways Cooperate to trans-Activate Vitamin D Receptor via c-Jun/AP-1 and Sensitize Human Breast Cancer Cells to Vitamin D3-induced Growth Inhibition*

The signaling connection between mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs) and nuclear steroid receptors is complex and remains mostly unexplored. Here we report that stress-activated protein kinases p38 and JNK trans-activate nuclear steroid vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and increase vitamin D3-dependent growth inhibition in human breast cancer cells. Activation of p38 and JNK by an active MAPK kinase 6 stimulates VDR promoter activity independently of the ligand vitamin D3 and estrogen receptor expression. Moreover, stimulation of the endogenous stress pathways by adenovirus-mediated delivery of recombinant MAPK kinase 6 also activates VDR and sensitizes MCF-7 cells to vitamin D3-dependent growth inhibition. Both the p38 and JNK MAPK pathways and the downstream transcription factor c-Jun/AP-1 are required for the VDR stimulation, as revealed by application of their dominant negatives, the specific p38 inhibitor SB203580, and site-directed mutagenesis of the AP-1 element in the VDR promoter. The essential role of the p38 and JNK stress pathways in up-regulation of VDR expression is further confirmed by using the chemical stimulator arsenite. These results establish a signaling connection between the stress MAPK pathways and steroid hormone receptor VDR expression and thereby offer new insights into regulation of cell growth by the MAPK pathways through regulation of vitamin D3/VDR activity.
THE SEISMIC SURFACE PULSE.

* This is Contribution No. 132 of the Lamont Geological Observatory of Columbia University. 1 F. A. Vening Meinesz, Theory and Practice of Pendulum Observations at Sea (Delft: Technische Boekhandel en Drukkerij, J. Waltman, Jr., 1929). 2 F. A. Vening Meinesz, Theory and Practice of Pendulum Observations at Sea, Part II: Second Order Corrections, Terms of Browne and Miscellaneous Subjects (Delft: Drukkerij, A. J. Waltmans 1941). 3J. Lamar Worzel and Maurice Ewing, Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 31, 917, 1950. 4J. Lamar Worzel and G. Lynn Shurbet, Crust of the Earth (Geological Society of America [in press]). 6 Charles L. Drake, J. Lamar Worzel, and Walter C. Beckmann, Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer. , 65, 957, 1954. 6 C. B. Officer and Maurice Ewing, Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer. , 65, 653, 1954. 7 Maurice Ewing, J. L. Worzel, N. C. Steenland, and Frank Press, Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer. , 61, 877, 1950. 8 D. B. Ericson, Maurice Ewing, and Bruce C. Heezen, Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer. , 62, 961, 1951. 9 Maurice Ewing, George P. Woollard, and A. C. Vine, Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer. , 51, 1821, 1940. 10 Maurice Ewing, A. P. Crary, and H. M. Rutherford, Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer. , 48, 753, 1937. D. C. Skeels, Geophysics, 15, 413, 1950.
Global Stability for a Virus Dynamics Model with Nonlinear Incidence of Infection and Removal

Global dynamics of a compartmental model which describes virus propagation in vivo is studied using the direct Lyapunov method, where the incidence rate of the infection and the removal rate of the virus are assumed to be nonlinear. In the case where the functional quotient between the force of infection and the removal rate of the virus is a nonincreasing function of the virus concentration, the existence of a threshold parameter, i.e., the basic reproduction number or basic reproductive ratio, is established and the global stability of the equilibria is discussed. Moreover, in the absence of the above‐mentioned monotonicity property, estimations for the sizes of the domains of attraction are given. Biological significance of the results and possible extensions of the model are also discussed.
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for adults with multiple sclerosis

To assess the effectiveness of organised MDR in adults with MS. MDR was defined as an inpatient, outpatient, home or community based programme, delivered by two or more disciplines in conjunction with physician consultation, and targeted towards improvements at the level of activity and/or participation. METHODS The Cochrane MS Group methods search strategy identified all randomised (RCT) and controlled (CCT) clinical trials that compared MDR with routinely available local services or lower levels of intervention, or trials comparing interventions in different settings or at different levels of intensity. Three reviewers selected trials and rated their methodological quality independently. Methodological quality criteria (n = 17) proposed by van Tulder and colleagues 12 were used to assess internal validity, and descriptive and statistical criteria (details are available in the full review). Quantitative analysis was not possible because of the use of diverse outcomes and other clinical heterogeneity. Therefore, qualitative synthesis of ‘‘best evidence’’ was presented based on levels of evidence proposed by van Tulder and colleagues. 2
Investigating ERP Misalignment between ERP Systems and Implementing Organizations in Developing Countries

The adoption of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems by organizations from developing countries has increased dramatically. The continued growth of ERP adoption in developing countries is accompanied by high failure rates which makes it impossible for these organizations to enjoy the full realization of benefits. Many ERP systems’ failures are associated with the misalignment between the ERP requirements and the expectations of the client. 70 percent of ERP implementations fail to deliver the anticipated benefits with estimates that developing countries make up some 10 to 15 percent of global ERP sales (Hawari & Heeks, 2010). ERP systems do not usually fit the requirements of the implementing organizations in developing countries because of the different business practices, and legal and government regulations. There is a sizeable gap between the assumptions and requirements built into the designs of ERP systems and the realities of the client. Until academics, organizations, vendors and consultants understand better the phenomenon of misfit, the realization of benefits from ERP systems is likely to remain difficult and unpredictable on practical perspective. This paper seeks to investigate the complexities inherent in the ERP systems, which subsequently result in misalignment and this will equip decision makers to better prepare strategies that will increase the probability of realizing the desired results. This paper will contribute directly or indirectly to the reduction of failure rate of ERP projects on developing countries associated with misfit.
OPTIMIZING LENVATINIB THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC RADIOACTIVE IODINE-RESISTANT DIFFERENTIATED THYROID CANCERS.

OBJECTIVE Lenvatinib is approved for use in advanced radioactive iodine-resistant differentiated thyroid cancers (RAIR-DTCs). Its efficacy is indisputable, but toxicities are great, creating daunting challenges for patients and providers. Few data regarding early adverse events and impact on quality of life (QOL) exist; we sought to clarify these issues by analyzing our initial postapproval lenvatinib experience. METHODS Standardized patient education was implemented, providing detailed instructions and expert provider contacts to facilitate timely reporting of toxicities and guide responsive actions. Early adverse events, QOL outcomes, and response data from 25 consecutively treated DTC patients (02/2015 and 05/2016) were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS The median age was 55 years (range 27-81); 52% were female. Fourteen (56%) were on antihypertensive medication(s) at baseline. Most patients (21/25, 84%) developed adverse events during the first month of therapy. Hypertension arose in 16/25 (64%), requiring antihypertensive dose adjustment/addition in 6 (24%)/12 (48%) patients, respectively, during the first month of therapy. Dose reduction was required in 11 (44%) due to multiple adverse events; the median time to first dose reduction was 33 days (range 11-84); 8 (32%) required multiple dose reductions. Therapy interruption >3 weeks occurred in 4 (16%). The median change in patient-reported fatigue score was +2 (worsening, range -2 to +10, P<.007; 0-10 scales), but the median QOL change was 0 (range +4 to -9, P = .57). The mean duration of lenvatinib therapy was 6.5 months (range 1-12); median overall and progression-free survival have not yet been reached. Lenvatinib was discontinued in 7 (28%) patients; among 20 patients with available RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) measurements, 10 (50%) achieved partial response. CONCLUSION Lenvatinib has promising efficacy in RAIR-DTC, but toxicities require frequent early interventions. QOL can be maintained on lenvatinib therapy. ABBREVIATIONS DTC = differentiated thyroid cancer; LASA = linear analog self-assessment; PR = partial response; QOL = quality of life; RAI = radioactive iodine; RAIR = RAI-resistant; RECIST = Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors; Tg = thyroglobulin; VEGFR = vascular endothelial growth factor receptor.
FACTORS INFLUENCING CONSUMER ETHICAL DECISION MAKING OF PURCHASING PIRATED SOFTWARE: STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING ON MALAYSIAN CONSUMER

The study explores the factors influencing consumer ethical decision making when purchasing pirated software. 300 questionnaires were distributed among potential respondents for this study, of which 250 were returned. After completing the screening process, only 200 responses were considered complete and valid to undergo data analysis. In this study, exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the salient attributes that impact consumer ethical decision making when purchasing pirated software. In addition, SEM (Structural Educational Modeling) was employed to identify the relationship among the variables. The results of the study showed that there is a significant relationship between consumer moralities, social influence, and consumer moral judgment towards the consumer ethical decision-making when purchasing pirated software. The outcome of this research showed a comprehensively integrated framework allowing policy makers and business enterprises to explore dimensions like morality, social influences and moral judgment and their effect on the consumer's decision-making in purchasing pirated software. However, further research is needed to examine these factors in Malaysia with additional samples before generalizations can be accurately made.
Detection of circulating Bmi‐1 mRNA in plasma and its potential diagnostic and prognostic value for uterine cervical cancer

Bmi‐1 is overexpressed in uterine cervical cancer (UCC) and is found to be associated with adverse clinical characteristics and poor prognosis. However, little information is available on the status of circulating Bmi‐1 mRNA in UCC. Because circulating cell‐free nucleic acids have emerged as a novel class of markers for cancer detection, our research aims to address this question by detecting the circulating Bmi‐1 mRNA and to assess its diagnostic and prognostic potential in UCC. Reverse transcription quantitative real‐time PCR method was established to detect the circulating Bmi‐1 mRNA in plasma of 109 patients with UCC, 138 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 80 healthy volunteers, and found that it was significantly increased in UCC compared with CINs and healthy controls (all at p < 0.001). Moreover, its high level was significantly correlated with advanced clinical stage (p < 0.001) and positive lymph nodes metastasis (p = 0.002). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.881, and the optimal cut‐off value was 0.057, providing a sensitivity of 69.7% and a specificity of 95.9%. The AUC for circulating Bmi‐1 mRNA showed higher diagnosis capability than that for SCC‐Ag (p = 0.035) or CA125 (p < 0.001) currently utilized. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated a correlation between increased circulating Bmi‐1 mRNA level and reduced disease‐free survival (DFS) (p = 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.015). And, Cox analysis indicated that it was an independent prognostic factor for DFS and OS. We conclude that circulating Bmi‐1 mRNA may be a potential noninvasive molecular marker for diagnosis and prognosis of UCC.
Anatomical Consideration of the Anterior and Lateral Cutaneous Nerves in the Scalp

To better understand the anatomic location of scalp nerves involved in various neurosurgical procedures, including awake surgery and neuropathic pain control, a total of 30 anterolateral scalp cutaneous nerves were examined in Korean adult cadavers. The dissection was performed from the distal to the proximal aspects of the nerve. Considering the external bony landmarks, each reference point was defined for all measurements. The supraorbital nerve arose from the supraorbital notch or supraorbital foramen 29 mm lateral to the midline (range, 25-33 mm) and 5 mm below the supraorbital upper margin (range, 4-6 mm). The supratrochlear nerve exited from the orbital rim 16 mm lateral to the midline (range, 12-21 mm) and 7 mm below the supraorbital upper margin (range, 6-9 mm). The zygomaticotemporal nerve pierced the deep temporalis fascia 10 mm posterior to the frontozygomatic suture (range, 7-13 mm) and 22 mm above the upper margin of the zygomatic arch (range, 15-27 mm). In addition, three types of zygomaticotemporal nerve branches were found. Considering the superficial temporal artery, the auriculotemporal nerve was mostly located superficial or posterior to the artery (80%). There were no significant differences between the right and left sides or based on gender (P>0.05). These data can be applied to many neurosurgical diagnostic or therapeutic procedures related to anterolateral scalp cutaneous nerve.
A history of haemopoietic cell transplantation

Fifty years have gone by since the first experiments that were to lead to the wide application of haemopoietic cell transplantation. Many disciplines have been involved including radiation biology, immunology, molecular biology, drug development, blood component transfusion technology and numerous adult and paediatric clinical disciplines. At every turn, the solution of problems depended heavily on animal research ranging from mice to dogs to non-human primates. At present more than 20000 human transplantations of haemopoietic cells from marrow, peripheral blood or cord blood are being performed annually. Initially these cellular transplantations were carried out only in terminally ill patients, but now in many instances transplantation is the preferred treatment and is carried out early in the course of the disease. Exciting research designed to continue improvement of the application to human patients includes the achievement of engraftment without lethal marrow ablative regimens, the use in autoimmune diseases, and the development of techniques for inducing tolerance for solid organ grafting. The development of effective anti-viral and anti-fungal drugs and the shift to out-patient care has resulted in dramatic reduction of the cost of transplantation as well as improved long-term survival. Pending the development of highly specific curative agents, it is likely that the use of haemopoietic cell transplantation will continue to increase during the early years of the third millenium.
Ebstein’s anomaly of the tricuspid valve: from fetus to adult

Ebstein’s anomaly was first described by Wilhelm Ebstein in 1866. At autopsy of a young man with a history of palpitations’ and dyspnoea followed—before his death—by cyanosis, cardiomegaly and systolic murmur, the Berlin based doctor described a tricuspid valve abnormality. This congenital malformation is characterised by any degree of inferior displacement of the proximal attachments of the septal and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve from the atrioventricular ring. It occurs in about 1–5 per 200 000 births and represents <1% of all congenital heart disease.1 Clinical presentation, treatments and outcome are varied and individual management is required. ### Tricuspid valve anatomy The rules of cardiac anatomy state that the valve belongs to the ventricle. The ventricle is divided into three components: the outlet, the apical trabecular and the inlet component which extends from the atrioventricular junction. During systole, the atrioventricular valve has to stay closed and resist the contraction of the ventricle to prevent backflow of blood. The tricuspid valve is attached to the atrioventricular junction of the right ventricle. The three leaflets are distinguished by their position: septal, anterior, and inferior leaflets. These leaflets are suspended from the muscular atrioventricular junction apart from a small area of membranous septum. They are joined by papillary muscles: the medial papillary muscle between the septal and anterior leaflets, the inferior between the septal and posterior leaflets, and the anterior between the posterior and the anterior leaflets.2 The embryologic origin of the tricuspid valve is the delamination from the ventricular myocardium at the atrioventricular junction. In Ebstein’s anomaly, the delamination, primarily of the septal and inferior leaflets, is incomplete. There are no cords to suspend the leaflets, so they arise from the cavity of the ventricle and are attached to its wall. An apical displacement of leaflets has been described, but a recent concept of …
Assessment of Interactions between PAH Exposure and Genetic Polymorphisms on PAH-DNA Adducts in African American, Dominican, and Caucasian Mothers and Newborns

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are widespread pollutants commonly found in air, food, and drinking water. Benzo[a]pyrene is a well-studied representative PAH found in air from fossil fuel combustion and a transplacental carcinogen experimentally. PAHs bind covalently to DNA to form DNA adducts, an indicator of DNA damage, and an informative biomarker of potential cancer risk. Associations between PAH-DNA adduct levels and both cancer risk and developmental deficits have been seen in previous experimental and epidemiologic studies. Several genes have been shown to play an important role in the metabolic activation or detoxification of PAHs, including the cytochrome P450 genes CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 and the glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes GSTM1, and GSTT2. Genetic variation in these genes could influence susceptibility to adverse effects of PAHs in polluted air. Here, we have explored interactions between prenatal PAH exposure and 17 polymorphisms in these genes (rs2198843, rs1456432, rs4646903, rs4646421, rs2606345, rs7495708, rs2472299, rs162549, rs1056837, rs1056836, rs162560, rs10012, rs2617266, rs2719, rs1622002, rs140194, and gene deletion GSTM1-02) and haplotypes on PAH-DNA adducts in cord blood of 547 newborns and in maternal blood of 806 mothers from three different self-described ethnic groups: African Americans, Dominicans, and Caucasians. PAHs were measured by personal air monitoring of mothers during pregnancy. Significant interactions (p < 0.05) were observed between certain genetic polymorphisms and CYP1A1 haplotype and PAHs in mothers and their newborns in the three ethnic groups. However, with our limited sample size, the current findings are suggestive only, warranting further study. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(2):405–13)