Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ventral neurons in the anterior nerve cord of amphioxus larvae. I. An inventory of cell types and synaptic patterns

Serial sections were used to map the ventrally positioned neurons of the anterior nerve cord of a 12.5‐day amphioxus larva from the infundibular region to the end of somite 2. Synaptic patterns reveal five categories of descending pathways, four of which are associated with the ventral compartment (VC) motoneurons responsible for escape swimming. 1) Pre‐, para‐, and postinfundibular (tegmental) neurons with large varicosities and mixed vesicle populations provide both synaptic and paracrine input to various components of the tegmental neuropile and primary motor center. Four categories of these neurons are distinguished on the basis of their vesicles. 2) Multiple anterior sensory pathways converge on the large paired neurons (LPNs) located near the junction of somites 1 and 2. LPN synaptic output is almost exclusively contralateral. This, together with the evidence for cross‐innervation between the third pair of LPNs, is consistent with the latter acting as locomotory pacemakers. 3) Axons from several classes of tegmental neurons converge in the paraxial region on each side of the cord where they form distinct tracts, the upper paraxial bundles. The right bundle is larger than the left, which suggests a role during early development when myotome contractions are biased to one side. 4) Fibers in the ventral tracts from ipsilateral projection neurons, sensory neurons, and additional ascending fibers synapse repeatedly with VC motoneurons. This may be how the overall level of excitation of the latter is controlled so as to modulate their response to pacemaker input. The fifth pathway consists of fibers involved in controlling the dorsal compartment (DC) motoneurons responsible for slow swimming, which are largely isolated from inputs to the VC locomotory system. The ventral neurons of the primary motor center form a more or less continuous file on either side of the floor plate, with certain cell types showing a tendency to cluster. There are, however, few obvious patterns of the kind expected if development were controlled by a rigid, lineage‐based mechanism. The evolutionary implications of the involvement of a midbrain‐level pacemaker in controlling larval swimming in amphioxus is discussed. J. Morphol. 257:190–211, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transformative learning and research utilization in nursing practice: a missing link?

BACKGROUND Poor or inconsistent research utilization into clinical practice is a recurrent theme across study contexts, rendering leaders disillusioned with how best to foster the uptake of research into nursing practice. This makes it imperative to look to new approaches. Research utilization involves a learning process engaging attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors; yet, this is often overlooked in approaches and models used to facilitate research use. This oversight may offer some explanation to the limited progress in research utilization to date. Transformation Theory offers an explanatory theory and specific strategies (critical reflection and critical discourse) to explore attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors so that they are understood, validated, and can better guide actions. AIM The purpose of this article was to explore what Transformation Theory can contribute to research utilization initiatives in nursing practice. APPROACH Transformation Theory and transformative learning strategies are discussed and critically analyzed in consideration of their potential roles in fostering research utilization in clinical nursing practice. ISSUES AND CONCLUSIONS (1) Research utilization is a learning process that involves knowledge, skills, feelings, attitudes, and beliefs. (2) Transformative learning strategies of critical reflection and discourse can facilitate insight into experiences, finding shared meanings among groups of people, and understanding/validating beliefs, attitudes, and feelings so they can more consciously guide future actions. This dimension is frequently neglected in research utilization efforts. (3) In combination with research utilization theories, Transformation Theory may be a missing link to make research utilization initiatives more effective in rendering and sustaining nursing practice change, thus enhancing client care and well-being. (4) Research and further consideration are both warranted and needed.
Antagonist: Should we eradicateHelicobacter pylori in non-ulcer dyspepsia?

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) should only be recommended if the following—still unproved—associations can be made. Firstly, epidemiological studies show a link between H pylori and dyspeptic symptoms and, secondly, treatment studies demonstrate such a link (table 1). We will examine results from these two types of studies. View this table: Table 1 Summary points Forty two epidemiological studies compared the prevalence of H pylori infection in dyspeptic patients and asymptomatic controls (see website fig 1). Meaningful studies should use the following design: an appropriate definition of dyspepsia; adequate sample size; dyspeptic subjects and controls sampled from the general population; and results adjusted for potential confounders such as age, sex, smoking, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Of 20 endoscopic studies, only two were population based and used adequate controls matched at least for age and sex (see website fig 1A). 1 2 The prevalence of H pylori infection in NUD subjects and in asymptomatic controls was similar in one study.2 The results of the other …
Terminology Access Methods Leveraging LDAP Resources

Health terminologies have become more complex, more massive, and more ubiquitous in the modern healthcare enterprise. Present technology makes the use of these terminologies by humans, unaided by machines, virtually impossible. However, system and message interoperability can be severely compromised if the software services deploying terminology content and interfaces are themselves non-standard. We review some characteristics for good terminology services and introduce an open-source, robust, widely deployed and widely available software resource to underpin terminology service implementations. The Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, or LDAP, is compared with alternative technologies. We describe a reference implementation of terminology services built around the HL7 Common Terminology Services using LDAP methods. We propose that LDAP is well suited as a common platform for federated, synchronized, and algorithmically distributed terminology content from multiple sources.
Metabolic Responses to Exercise: Effects of endurance training and implications for diabetes

In this study, some important metabolic responses to exercise will be discussed, and aspects of particular interest for patients with diabetes mellitus will be emphasized. Alterations in the metabolic responses to exercise induced by physical endurance training and consequences of training for metabolism of plasma lipids and lipoproteins will be discussed. Glucoregulation during exercise is not perfect in normal subjects and is less so in patients with diabetes mellitus. For instance, during intense exercise, large increases in the plasma glucose concentration occur and a state of insulin resistance exists for a few hours after intense exercise. Even so, increased sensitivity to insulin is found the day after intense exercise and also shortly after more moderate intensity exercise, both in healthy subjects and in patients with diabetes mellitus. Increased sensitivity to insulin is also found after endurance training, whereas insulin sensitivity is decreased after inactivity. Exercise training increases the ability of muscle to take up and oxidize free fatty acids during exercise and also increases the activity of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase in muscle. The activity of lipoprotein lipase in muscle correlates with muscle insulin sensitivity. This might explain why insulin resistance is often associated with hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Frequency of Mediterranean mutation among a group of Saudi G6PD patients in Western region‐Jeddah

Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD), a common human enzymatic defects characterized by extreme molecular and biochemical heterogeneity is found to have a variable frequency in different regions. The molecular basis of polymorphic variants in Saudi Arabia have yet to be fully addressed to. Accordingly, a study was designed to determine the frequency of G6PD gene mutations in G6PD deficient cases. From forty‐seven unrelated G6PD‐deficient subjects, DNA was extracted individually from peripheral blood samples and exons 6 and 7 of the G6PD gene were amplified by PCR. Mutation analysis was carried out by using conformation sensitive gel electrophoresis (CSGE), followed by direct DNA sequencing. The results showed definite altered CSGE patterns. Two mutations were resolved in exon 6 of G6PD gene; Mediterranean mutation and Sibari mutation, not previously reported so far; while no mutation was detected in exon 7. The frequency of exons 6 mutations responsible for G6PD deficiency (Mediterranean type) is reported for the first time from this region, with a figure of 50.1%. The absence of other mutations in exon 7 causing G6PD deficiency points to the low genetic diversity in the studied population.
Gene expression in rat skin induced by irritating chemicals

Occupational skin disease is the second most significant cause of occupational disease, after accidents. Irritation from occupational chemicals such as solvents, hydrocarbons, and surfactants are one cause of this disease. Gene expression studies provide useful information about normal processes in the skin and responses of the skin to exogenous chemicals. We exposed rats, cutaneously, to sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, 1% and 10% aqueous solution), m‐xylene (pure liquid), and d‐limonene (pure liquid) for 1 h and measured transcriptional responses at the end of the exposure and 3 h later for comparison with untreated skin samples. Total skin RNA was isolated and analyzed using the Affymetrix RatTox U34 array. Using the Affymetrix software, we found that 234 of approximately 850 genes were detected as present in at least 80% of the normal skin samples. The largest number of these genes was related to metabolism, oxidative/cellular stress, and signal transduction. Limonene caused the largest change in mRNA levels with a total of 34 increased transcripts and 4 decreased transcripts. Xylene treatment resulted in 6 increased transcripts and 14 decreased transcripts, while 10% SLS caused 5 transcripts to increase and 17 to decrease. Only two transcripts were observed to change in skin following a 1% SLS exposure. Sodium lauryl sulfate transcript changes increased with dose and were maximum at 4 h. Limonene transcript changes were more numerous at 1 h than at 4 h. The observed differences may reflect different mechanisms of irritation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 17:123–137, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.10079
Core knowledge.

Compex cognitive skills such as reading and calculation and complex cognitive achievements such as formal science and mathematics may depend on a set of building block systems that emerge early in human ontogeny and phylogeny. These core knowledge systems show characteristic limits of domain and task specificity: Each serves to represent a particular class of entities for a particular set of purposes. By combining representations from these systems, however, human cognition may achieve extraordinary flexibility. Studies of cognition in human infants and in nonhuman primates therefore may contribute to understanding unique features of human knowledge.
An update on new and emerging therapies for cystic fibrosis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that results in a multi-organ disease with progressive respiratory decline that ultimately leads to premature death. CF is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which codes for the CFTR anion channel. Established CF treatments target downstream manifestations of the primary genetic defect, including pulmonary and nutritional interventions. Areas covered: CFTR modulators are novel therapies that improve the function of CFTR, and have been approved in the past five years to mitigate the effects of several CF-disease causing mutations. This review summarizes currently approved CFTR modulators and discusses emerging modulator therapies in phase II and III clinical trials described on clinical trials.gov as of April, 2017. Results of relevant trials reported in peer-reviewed journals in Pubmed, scientific conference abstracts and sponsor press releases available as of November, 2017 are included. Expert opinion: The current scope of CF therapeutic development is robust and CFTR modulators have demonstrated significant benefit to patients with specific CFTR mutations. We anticipate that in the future healthcare providers will be faced with a different treatment paradigm, initiating CFTR-directed therapies well before the onset of progressive lung disease.
Intact Bacteria Inhibit the Induction of Humoral Immune Responses to Bacterial-Derived and Heterologous Soluble T Cell-Dependent Antigens1

During infections with extracellular bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pn), the immune system likely encounters bacterial components in soluble form, as well as those associated with the intact bacterium. The potential cross-regulatory effects on humoral immunity in response to these two forms of Ag are unknown. We thus investigated the immunologic consequences of coimmunization with intact Pn and soluble conjugates of Pn-derived proteins and polysaccharides (PS) as a model. Coimmunization of mice with Pn and conjugate resulted in marked inhibition of conjugate-induced PS-specific memory, as well as primary and memory anti-protein Ig responses. Inhibition occurred with unencapsulated Pn, encapsulated Pn expressing different capsular types of PS than that present in the conjugate, and with conjugate containing protein not expressed by Pn, but not with 1-μm latex beads in adjuvant. Inhibition was long-lasting and occurred only during the early phase of the immune response, but it was not associated with tolerance. Pn inhibited the trafficking of conjugate from the splenic marginal zone to the B cell follicle and T cell area, strongly suggesting a potential mechanism for inhibition. These data suggest that during infection, bacterial-associated Ags are the preferential immunogen for antibacterial Ig responses.
The health belief model as an explanation for breast‐feeding practices in a Hispanic population

Pender's modification of the health belief model was used to examine the motivations for breast-feeding in a group of 140 primiparous women along the US-Mexican border. The backward elimination technique of linear regression was used to order the variables in the model. The findings indicate that the three components of the health belief model—individual perceptions, modifying factors, and likelihood of action—are useful in predicting health-related outcomes. Each component of the model made an independent contribution to the breast-feeding decision but varied in the strength of the contribution. The only significant interpersonal influence on the feeding decision was that of the husband or partner. More empirical research with the model is necessary, however, in order to develop it as a paradigm for prenatal health.
ESTIMATION OF THE MIGRATION OF THORACIC DUCT LYMPHOCYTES TO NON‐LYMPHOID TISSUES

The distribution of radioisotopes in tissues was measured following i.v. injection of labelled thoracic duct lymphocytes into syngeneic rats. The rate of elution of an isotope from the labelled cells and the subsequent fate of the eluted isotope were shown to be the most important factors limiting the usefulness of such isotopes for measuring cell localization particularly in non‐lymphoid tissues. Comparison of labelling procedures using [3H] and [14C]uridine, [3H] and [14C]leucine, [75Se]‐L‐selenomethionine, [99mTc]sodium pertechnetate and [51Cr]sodium chromate in vitro and [3H]thymidine in vivo showed that 51Cr had the fewest disadvantages in the present context. Using 5ICr‐labelled cells, the radioactivity was measured in a wide range of non‐lymphoid tissues, and estimates of cell traffic were obtained. In skin, for example, the results indicate a cell flux in the range of 104‐105 lymphocytes/gm/hr. Evidence is presented which suggests that the early substantial localization of labelled cells in the lung is not an artefact due to sequestration or embolization of traumatized cells but probably reflects a slow intravascular transit time through this capillary bed. The primary lymphoid organs, thymus and bone marrow were shown to include a subpopulation of lymphocytes which belong to the recirculating pool. The thymus always contained a greater concentration of radioactivity at 24 hr than all non‐lymphoid tissues except liver and kidney (approx. 0‐1% of the recirculating lymphocyte pool) and the bone marrow was capable of temporarily accepting a substantial proportion (approx. 25%) of the injected cells.
Dark rearing prolongs physiological but not anatomical plasticity of the cat visual cortex

Recent studies (Cynader and Mitchell, '80; Mower et al., '81) have shown that total dark rearing prolongs susceptibility to the physiological effects of monocular deprivation (MD) in visual cortex beyond the normal age limits. The present study addressed whether this delayed physiological plasticity is accompanied by delayed anatomical plasticity in the geniculocortical pathway.
Competition between nitrate and nitrite reduction in denitrification by Pseudomonas fluorescens

A pure culture of Pseudomonas fluorescens was used as a model system to study the kinetics of denitrification. An exponentially growing culture was harvested and resuspended in an anoxic acetate solution buffered with K/Na phosphate at pH values of 6.6, 7.0, 7.4, and 7.8. The temperature was kept at 28°C in all assays. Nitrate pulses of approximately 0.2 mg N/L caused nitrite to accumulate due to a faster rate of nitrate reduction over nitrite reduction. The rate of nitrate reduction was observed to depend on its concentration as predicted by the Michaelis–Menten equation. At nonlimiting nitrate concentrations, nitrite reduction was described by the same equation. Otherwise, nitrite reduction also depended on nitrate concentration. Consequently, nitrate and nitrite reductions compete with each other for the oxidation of common electron donors. A kinetic model for nitrate competitive inhibition of nitrite reduction is proposed. The model was used to interpret the nitrate and nitrite profiles observed at the four pH values: the optimum pH value was 7.0 in both cases; the affinity for nitrite was also not affected by the medium pH in the range of values 6.6 to 7.4 (K mNO 3 = 0.04 mg N/L); the affinity for nitrite was also not affected by the medium pH in the range of values 6.6 to 7.4 (K mNO 2 = 0.06 mg N/L), but it decreased sharply for the pH value of 7.8. Although the ratio between the two maximum reduction rates (V max NO 2 /V max NO 3 ) is constant, nitrite accumulation depends on the medium pH value. Therefore, the regulation mechanism that shifts the electron flow between the two terminal reductases is readily reversible and does not change their relative maximum reduction rates. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Investigating aLearningProgression forEnergy IdeasFromUpperElementary ThroughHighSchool

This study tests a hypothesized learning progression for the concept of energy. It looks at 14 specific ideas under the categories of (i) EnergyFormsandTransformations; (ii) EnergyTransfer; (iii) Energy Dissipation and Degradation; and (iv) Energy Conservation. It then examines students’ growth of understanding within each of these ideas at three levels of increasing conceptual complexity. The basic level of the model focuses on simple energy relationships and easily observable effects of energy processes; the intermediate level focuses on more complex energy concepts and applications; and the advanced level focuses on still more complex energy concepts, often requiring an atomic/molecular model to explain phenomena. The study includes results from 359 distractor-driven, multiple-choice test items administered to over 20,000 students in grades 4 through 12 from across the U.S. Rasch analysis provided linear measures of student performance and item difficulty on the same scale. Results largely supported a model of students’ growth of understanding that progresses from an understanding of forms and transformations of energy to energy transfer to conservation while also progressing along a separate dimension of cognitive complexity. An analysis of the current state of students’ understanding with respect to the knowledge identified in the learning progression showed that elementary level students perform well in comparison to expectations but that middle and high school students’ performance does not meet expectations. # 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 55: 68–93, 2018
Telomeres conTrol cell aging ivica rubelj

It has been well established that various mammalian cells demonstrate a limited growth capacity in culture referred to as cellular or replicative senescence. There is also some evidence in support of the idea that this is the basis for organismal aging. Recent studies have revealed the molecular mechanisms of telomere involvement in cell senescence, cell cycle control, genome (in)stability and immortalization. This has provided an explanation of various phenomena related to process of aging and carcinogenesis. In this review we aim to describe some of the most important features of normal cell aging and the that result in malignant transformation.
Interleaved SAR ADC for in-pixel conversion in future X-ray FEL application

This work presents the design of an interleaved Successive Approximation Register (SAR) ADC, part of the readout channel for the PixFEL detector. The PixFEL project aims at substantially advancing the state-of-the-art in the field of 2D X-ray imaging for application at the next generation free electron laser (FEL) facilities, through the adoption of cutting-edge microelectronic technologies and innovative design and architectural solutions. For this purpose, the collaboration is developing the fundamental microelectronic building blocks for the readout channel (low noise analog front-end with dynamic compression feature, high resolution and low power ADC, high density memories). This work focuses on the design of the ADC: to obtain a good tradeoff between power, conversion speed and area occupation, an interleaved SAR ADC architecture was adopted. The design is being carried out in a 65 nm CMOS technology. After schematic simulation at the maximum sample rate of 5 MHz, a maximum DNL = 0.125 LSB and a maximum INL = 0.138 LSB were obtained. None of them was found to exceed 0.5 LSB after post layout simulations. The SNR is 56.64 dB, which implies an ENOB = 9.6. The power consumption is 85 μW. Different test structures have been designed, with an area going from 0.00563 mm2 to 0.0072 mm2.
Personal Identification Based on Radiographic Vertebral Features

Personal identification of human remains constitutes about 10% of the normal caseload of any forensic medicine practice. Identification can be achieved by a variety of methods, one of which is the comparison of antemortem and postmortem radiographs. There are numerous accounts of cranial and dental radiographic features useful for identification, whereas the availability of postcranial radiographs and especially plates that depict the vertebral column is less widespread among the forensic community. The authors here review the various vertebral features instrumental in positive identification that can be identified on radiographs of the spine.