Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Turning the Kaleidoscope on Quality , Jayne White describes her investigation into the perceptions of quality held by staff in family day care settings in relation to the home-based edition of The Quality Journey

This reports on findings from follow-up research conducted in 2002, tracking the journey of nine early childhood centres that had conducted a quality improvement review of practices in 2000. The purpose of the research was to identify successes, barriers and enablers to maintaining quality improvement. All the centres had been successful at maintaining change. Common threads contributing to successful maintenance were the inclusion of parents, children and teachers, strong leadership, and the development of management systems and professional development systems to maintain change.
Natural infection as a blueprint for rational HIV vaccine design

ABSTRACT So far, the development of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine has been unsuccessful. However, recent progress in the field of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) has reinvigorated the search for an HIV vaccine. bNAbs develop in a minority of HIV infected individuals and passive transfer of these bNAbs to non-human primates provides protection from HIV infection. Studies in a number of HIV infected individuals on bNAb maturation alongside viral evolution and escape have shed light on the features important for bNAb elicitation. Here we review the observations from these studies, and how they influence the rational design of HIV vaccines.
Prenatal Genomic Profiling of Abdominal Wall Defects through Comparative Genomic Hybridization: Perspectives for a New Diagnostic Tool

Objectives: To describe the molecular analysis through comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) of fetuses with gastroschisis, and to observe if this technique could improve the resolution of the conventional cytogenetic techniques. Methods: Amniotic analysis of fetuses with gastroschisis, using both conventional (G-banding) and molecular (CGH) cytogenetics assays. Results: All of the seven fetuses studied displayed a normal G-band karyotype. Six fetuses displayed a normal disomic profile through CGH and one sample has displayed ish cgh enh 3q26→qter result (ICSN). The fetus with this imbalance of chromosome 3 was re-classified as a ruptured omphalocele, instead of gastroschisis, after birth. Conclusions: The molecular investigation through CGH technique can improve the resolution of the conventional karyotye analysis in cases of abdominal wall defects.
Mechanism of preventive effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor on diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND Previously, we have found that pravastatin prevents diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats independently of serum lipid levels. The aim of this study was to clarify the impact of pravastatin on the mesangial cells exposed to high glucose. METHODS Rat mesangial cells were cultured in DMEM containing low glucose (5 mM glucose), high glucose (25 mM glucose) and 25 mM glucose with 500 microM pravastatin for 48 hours, respectively. After harvesting, we examined membrane-associated Ras with immunoblot analysis, activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the cytosol fraction with in-gel kinase assay and expressions of TGF-beta mRNA with Northern blot analysis. RESULTS Membrane-associated Ras, activity of MAP kinase, and expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) mRNA were increased in the mesangial cells cultured exposed to high glucose compared to low glucose. Pravastatin suppressed all these changes in membrane-associated Ras, MAP kinase and TGF-beta mRNA in high glucose. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that pravastatin suppresses the activity of Ras-MAP kinase cascade and induction of TGF-beta in the mesangial cells that have been exposed to high glucose.
Polymeric carrier of proline analogue with antifibrotic effect in pulmonary vascular remodeling.

The proline analogue cis-4-hydroxy-L-proline (cHyp) inhibits collagen accumulation but diffuses out of tissues. To prolong the antifibrotic effect, we used a copolymer of cHyp attached to a backbone of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and lysine. The copolymer was encapsulated in liposomes conjugated with PEG or in liposomes coated with the polysaccharide amylopectin to improve uptake by lungs after intravenous infusion. Amylopectin-liposomes had approximately 3-fold greater uptake in cultured endothelial cells compared with PEG-liposomes and greater lung retention 1 wk after infusion (5.2 +/- 0.8% versus 2.7 +/- 0.2%, p < 0.05). Sustained antifibrotic activity, assayed by growth inhibition of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts over 4 d, was greater for amylopectin-liposomes/copolymer than PEG-liposomes/copolymer. Inhibition of collagen accumulation in pulmonary arteries of hypoxic (10% O2) rats was used to assess antifibrotic activity. Amylopectin-liposomes/copolymer attenuated increased right ventricular pressure by approximately 50% and completely prevented excess vascular collagen 1 wk after a single intravenous injection. The copolymer in liposomes was > 1,000-fold more effective by weight than unencapsulated monomeric cHyp. Thus, the copolymer, a potent, long-acting antifibrotic agent, totally prevented collagen accumulation for 1 wk in pulmonary arteries undergoing vascular remodeling when delivered in amylopectin-liposomes.
Epileptic seizures associated with intrathecal baclofen application

We report the clinical and EEG findings in three patients presenting with seizures associated with intrathecal baclofen application for treatment of spasticity. All patients had a history of traumatic brain injury, while one patient also suffered a spinal cord injury. Two patients experienced their first seizure following intrathecal baclofen test bolus injection. Another patient had convulsions on two occasions: following postoperative baclofen dose adjustment, and after sleep deprivation. Structural brain disease seems prerequisite for baclofen to exert epileptogenic activity, since seizures have not occurred in patients receiving intrathecal baclofen for spasticity of solely spinal origin. Antiepileptic medication permitted the continuation of intrathecal baclofen treatment in the three patients.
WNT11 promotes cardiac tissue formation of early mesoderm

Cardiac tissue in the bird is derived from paired regions of lateral mesoderm within the anterior half of the embryo (Rawles [1943] Physiol. Zool. 16:22–42; Stalsberg and DeHaan [1969] Dev. Biol. 19:128–159). Previously, we reported that WNT11 is expressed in early avian mesoderm in a pattern that overlaps with the precardiac regions. To examine whether this molecule may play a role in promoting cardiogenesis, we cultured tissue explants from microdissected HH stage 4, 5, and 6 quail embryos. The isolated tissue consisted of both the mesoderm and endoderm layers from either anterior precardiac or posterior noncardiogenic regions of the embryo. As a necessary control for examining the ability of WNT11 to convert noncardiogenic mesoderm to cardiac tissue, we compared the cardiogenic potential of anterior and posterior regions. For stages 5 and 6, our results were consistent with what has been previously reported (Rawles [1943] Physiol. Zool. 16:22–42; Sugi and Lough [1994] Dev. Dyn. 200:155–162); as anterior mesoderm becomes contractile, while posterior mesoderm does not produce cardiac tissue. Surprisingly, when we examined stage 4 embryos both anterior and posterior regions gave rise to cardiac tissue in culture. To determine whether WNT11 could promote cardiac differentiation in tissue that was noncardiogenic, this molecule was ectopically expressed or added to mesoderm/endoderm explants obtained from stage 5 or 6 posterior tissue. Transfection of stage 5 posterior tissue with a WNT11 expression plasmid provoked the appearance of cardiomyocytes in 33% of the explants; half of which were contractile. Similarly transfected stage 6 posterior explants did not demonstrate cardiac differentiation. More dramatic results were obtained when noncardiogenic tissue was exposed to conditioned media containing soluble WNT11; as 63% and 33% of posterior stage 5‐ or stage 6‐derived explants underwent cardiac differentiation. Together, these results indicate that WNT11 can promote cardiac development within noncardiac tissue. The expression of WNT11 in anterior mesoderm of early gastrula stage embryos suggests it may play a role in the formation of the vertebrate heart. Dev Dyn 1999;216:45–58. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mind the Gap: Information and Communication Technologies, Knowledge Activities and Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry

The paper explores the specific challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry regarding the exploitation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the context of developing new frameworks supporting knowledge activity and the wider innovation process. The paper seeks to provide a framework to view these changes but also highlights gaps in our current conceptualization of the role of ICTs in facilitating and effecting change within the pharmaceutical industry.
Dietary and other determinants of vitamin B6 parameters.

OBJECTIVE To assess the dietary, physical, biochemical and lifestyle determinants of vitamin B6 status parameters among healthy adults. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS Dietary intake and status variables as well as other relevant characteristics were determined among 444 adults, aged 20-79 y and stratified for sex and 10-years age classes with a randomly selected control group (n = 300) and an over representation of persons with a low habitual vitamin B6 intake (n = 144). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The direct status parameters (plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), plasma pyridoxal + PLP (PL + PLP), and 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) excretion) were clearly related to dietary variables and plasma concentrations of vitamin C (women only), vitamin B12 and folate. The total percentage of variance in p-PLP explained in multivariate regression analysis was 41 and 30% in men and women, respectively. The most important explaining variables besides vitamin B6 intakes were variables closely related to PLP-metabolism: albumin and alkaline phosphatase. Biochemical function related status parameters showed less statistically significant correlations with dietary variables. Four to 24% of the variance in the stimulation coefficients of erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase (alpha-EAST) and erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase (alpha-EALT) and change in homocysteine excretion after a methionin load was explained by a combination of dietary, physiological and lifestyle related variables. The low percentages explained for some variables, notably alpha-EAST (women) and the change in homocysteine excretion after a methionin load (men), suggests that these parameters are not sensitive to the level of vitamin B6 intake as found in the present study. Alcohol contributed in many of the explaining models for vitamin B6 status parameters. Therefore, when assessing the vitamin B6 status of a population, it is important to estimate the level of alcohol intake as well. Furthermore, the results illustrate the importance of sex related differences in the metabolism of some parameters, especially homocysteine excretion. The variance in the clinical function related status parameter measured in the present study, handgripstrength, was explained for 50% by a combination of age, body weight and Quetelet Index (QI) with no important contribution of dietary variables.
Optimal Computing the Chessboard Distance Transform on Parallel Processing Systems,

Thedistance transform(DT) is an image computation tool which can be used to extract the information about the shape and the position of the foreground pixels relative to each other. It converts a binary image into a grey-level image, where each pixel has a value corresponding to the distance to the nearest foreground pixel. The time complexity for computing the distance transform is fully dependent on the different distance metrics. Especially, the more exact the distance transform is, the worse execution time reached will be. Nowadays, quite often thousands of images are processed in a limited time. It seems quite impossible for a sequential computer to do such a computation for the distance transform in real time. In order to provide efficient distance transform computation, it is considerably desirable to develop a parallel algorithm for this operation. In this paper, based on the diagonal propagation approach, we first provide anO(N2) time sequential algorithm to compute thechessboard distance transform(CDT) of anN×Nimage, which is a DT using the chessboard distance metrics. Based on the proposed sequential algorithm, the CDT of a 2D binary image array of sizeN×Ncan be computed inO(logN) time on the EREW PRAM model usingO(N2/logN) processors,O(log logN) time on the CRCW PRAM model usingO(N2/log logN) processors, andO(logN) time on the hypercube computer usingO(N2/logN) processors. Following the mapping as proposed by Lee and Horng, the algorithm for the medial axis transform is also efficiently derived. The medial axis transform of a 2D binary image array of sizeN×Ncan be computed inO(logN) time on the EREW PRAM model usingO(N2/logN) processors,O(log logN) time on the CRCW PRAM model usingO(N2/log logN) processors, andO(logN) time on the hypercube computer usingO(N2/logN) processors. The proposed parallel algorithms are composed of a set of prefix operations. In each prefix operation phase, only increase (add-one) operation and minimum operation are employed. So, the algorithms are especially efficient in practical applications.
Inhibitory effect of tumor metastasis in mice by saponins, ginsenoside-Rb2, 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, of red ginseng.

We examined the inhibitory effect of two saponin preparations from Red ginseng, 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, in comparison with that of ginsenoside-Rb2, on lung metastasis produced by two highly metastatic tumor cells, B16-BL6 melanoma and colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma, in syngeneic mice. In an in vitro analysis, both saponin preparations showed a significant inhibition of adhesion to fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LM) by B16-BL6 melanoma. Similarly, they significantly inhibited the invasion of B16-BL6 cells into the reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel)/FN in a dose-dependent manner. In an experimental metastasis model using B16-BL6 melanoma, consecutive intravenous (i.v.) administrations of 100 micrograms/mouse of 20(R)- or 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 1, 2, 3 and 4 d after tumor inoculation led to a significant decrease in lung metastasis. The inhibitory effect of i.v. administration of both ginseng saponins on the tumor metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma was also recognized in a low dose of 10 micrograms/mouse. The oral administration (p.o.) of both saponins (100-1000 micrograms/mouse) induced a significant decrease in lung metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma. Moreover, both ginseng saponins were effective in inhibiting of lung metastasis produced by colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma. When 20(R)- or 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 was orally administered consecutively after tumor inoculation in a spontaneous metastasis model using B16-BL6 melanoma, both of them significantly inhibited lung metastasis. In the experiment involving neovasculization by tumor cells in vivo, both mice groups given each saponin preparation after tumor inoculation exhibited a significant decrease in the number of blood vessels oriented toward the tumor mass, with no repression of tumor size. These findings suggest that both ginseng saponins, 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, possess an ability to inhibit the lung metastasis of tumor cells, and the mechanism of their antimetastatic effect is related to inhibition of the adhesion and invasion of tumor cells, and also to anti-angiogenesis activity.
Corrugatin, a Lipopeptide Siderophore from Pseudomonas corrugata

Abstract From the culture medium of the phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas corrugata, a lipopeptide siderophore was isolated that comprises interesting structural elements such as cyclic condensation products of the two amino groups of 2,4-diamino butyric acid with the carboxyl group of a second amino acid, and the rarely encountered L-threo-β-hydroxy histidine.
Management of mandibular second premolar agenesis

In Europe, dental agenesis affects 5.45% of the population. Apart from third molars, the mandibular second premolars are most often affected. For each clinical situation, the orthodontist must select the best treatment option to manage the edentulous space.This space can be closed or left open.If the space is to be closed, the goal is to achieve stable and functional occlusal relationships without negative impact on profile.If the space is to be left open, the goal is to create a space suitable for future prosthetic restoration, render the dental axes parallel, and maintain optimal bone volume, especially if the deciduous molar is in infra-occlusion.In this paper we present various treatment options for managing mandibular second premolar agenesis.
To Paint in Tongues - Interactive, Artistic and Mobile Information Visualization for Social Media Texts - Creativity Enhancement by Painting with Tweets on a Smart Tablet

A vast amount of thousands of Twitter messages are produced per second. As not only researchers and data professionals are interested in utilizing this data, other people could make use of specific insights. Without the skill to conduct queries with expert systems, tweets must tediously be read entirely in the traditional way. The creativity gets constrained and neglected in this tiring and cognitive demanding process. However these tweets could be a great source for conducting investigations as for example in sociocultural creative research, as writing for lyrics, scripts or even books. Writers could benefit from this huge amount of free accessible information about public opinions on recent topics. In this paper, we introduce a mobile visualization tool and its underlying visualization concept: Paint in Tongues. It can be used in different ways to visualize text-based social media content. Moreover it enables users that are unexperienced at information visualization to easily interact with the data and utilize it. Techniques that even enhance creativity, as doodling and combining different media, are utilized in an interactive visualization process to augment the data analysis for creative and visual oriented people.
Binary brain computer interface in terms of steady state visual evoked potentials with eyes-closed by use of mental concentration on flicker stimuli

Brain computer interface (BCI) is expected to provide powerful help for disabled in communication with caregivers. Although many BCI systems have been developed, it is still difficult for severely disabled to use the BCIs due to strict limitations of motor function including facial and eye movement. The present study aimed at developing a novel binary class of BCI based on the steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) in eyes-closed state. Amplitude change of the SSVEP elicited by mental concentration on periodic flicker stimuli was investigated for twelve normal adults aged 21–22 years old. Under the stimulus conditions of the flickering frequency of 10 Hz and the stimulus intensity of 5 lx, the SSVEP amplitude was significantly decreased over the wide region of the scalp when the subjects focused on the flicker stimuli. Such a response was repeated at least eight times associated with mental concentration on the stimuli. Improvement of the amplitude recovery in the relaxed state without mental concentration after the mental concentration may lead to establish the binary class of BCI with eyes-closed using mental concentration on the flicker stimuli.
Refining the UGT 1 A Haplotype Associated with Irinotecan-Induced Hematological Toxicity in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with 5-Fluorouracil / Irinotecan-Based Regimens s

Despite the importance of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1*28 in irinotecan pharmacogenetics, our capability to predict drug-induced severe toxicity remains limited. We aimed at identifying novel genetic markers that would improve prediction of irinotecan toxicity and response in advanced colorectal cancer patients treated with folic acid (leucovorin), fluorouracil (5-FU), and irinotecan (camptosar)-based regimens. The relationships between UGT1A candidate markers across the gene (n 5 21) and toxicity were prospectively evaluated in 167 patients. We included variants in the 39untranscribed region (39UTR) of the UGT1A locus, not studied in this context yet. These genetic markers were further investigated in 250 Italian FOLFIRI-treated patients. Several functional UGT1A variants, including UGT1A1*28, significantly influenced risk of severe hematologic toxicity. As previously reported in the Italian cohort, a 5-marker risk haplotype [haplotype II (HII); UGTs 1A9/1A7/1A1] was associated with severe neutropenia in our cohort [odds ratio (OR) 5 2.43; P 5 0.004]. The inclusion of a 39UTR singlenucleotide polymorphism (SNP) permitted refinement of the previously defined HI, in which HIa was associated with the absence of severe neutropenia in combined cohorts (OR5 0.55; P 5 0.038). Among all tested UGT1A variations and upon multivariate analyses, no UGT1A1 SNPs remained significant, whereas three SNPs located in the central region ofUGT1Awere linked to neutropenia grade 3–4. Haplotype analyses of these markers with the 39UTR SNP allowed the identification of a protective HI (OR 5 0.50; P 5 0.048) and two risk haplotypes, HII and HIII, characterized by 2 and 3 unfavorable alleles, respectively, revealing a dosage effect (ORs of 2.15 and 5.28; P # 0.030). Our results suggest that specific SNPs in UGT1A, other than UGT1A1*28, may influence irinotecan toxicity and should be considered to refine pharmacogenetic testing.
PERFIL FÍSICO-FUNCIONAL, NUTRICIONAL E BIOQUÍMICO DE MULHERES NA PÓS-MENOPAUSA PORTADORAS DE SÍNDROME METABÓLICA

Objetivo: Caracterizar o perfil de mulheres pos-menopausa por aspectos nutricionais, bioquimicos e fisico funcionais. Metodos: Estudo do tipo transversal descritivo-analitico. Populacao constituida por mulheres de 50 a 65 anos, com no minimo 12 meses de amenorreia. Amostra constituida por 16 mulheres classificadas com sindrome metabolica segundo os criterios NCEP–ATP III (2001), submetidas a avaliacao antropometrica, bioquimica e avaliacao fisica-funcional. Resultados: Media de IMC compativel com sobrepeso; media elevada de circunferencia abdominal, predizendo alto risco para o desenvolvimento de doencas cardiovasculares; media de dobras cutâneas indicando percentual de gordura subcutânea elevada. A avaliacao bioquimica mostrou niveis baixos de HDL-colesterol e glicemia em jejum elevada em 25,1% das participantes. A avaliacao fisica-funcional mostrou diferenca estatisticamente significativa entre a media dos valores obtidos no TC6, PI max e PE max comparados aos valores medios previstos. Conclusao: Perfil de mulheres com sobrepeso, obesidade central, gordura subcutânea e glicemia elevada e capacidade funcional reduzida.
REVISIÓN DE TEMA

RECEPTORES TIPO SEGUNDO MENSAJERO RECEPTORES CATALiTICOS Los Factores de Crecimiento, incluyendo las cltoqulnas, representan un numero muy grande de polipeptidos, glucoproteinas y otras moleculas relacionadas. Todos ellos promueven la proliferacion, la diferenciacion y las funciones especializadas de casi cualquier tipo de celula. Juegan un papel importante mediando los modos paracrino, autocrino y endocrino de comunicacion. En esta primera parte de una serie se definen y clasifican los factores de crecimiento; para la clasificacion se proponen diversos sistemas basados en el periodo de desarrollo del individuo en que actuan, en el punto critico del ciclo celular sobre el que ejercen su accion y en los efectos fisiologicos que producen; se discuten, ademas, someramente, la composicion quimica, los mecanismos de accion y las funciones de estas sustancias. INTRODUCCION