Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological and Functional Electrophysiological Evidence of Relative Spinal Cord Tethering in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Study Design. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and multiplanar reconstruction was used to evaluate the morphology and relative position of the spinal cord in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Objective. To determine the longitudinal and cross-sectional morphology of spinal cord in AIS subjects versus normal controls and their correlation with relative position of cerebellar tonsils and somatosensory cortical evoked potentials (SSEP). Summary of Background Data. Our previous studies revealed significantly reduced spinal cord to vertebral column length ratios in AIS patients with severe scoliotic curves suggesting the presence of disproportional growth between the neural and skeletal system. A possible neural origin of etiopathogenesis of AIS is suggested. Methods. MR multiplanar reconstruction was performed in 97 adolescent girls (35 moderate, 26 severe AIS with right-sided thoracic/thoracolumbar curve, and 36 age-matched controls). Measurements of the ratio of anteroposterior (AP) and transverse (TS) diameter of the cord, the concave and convex lateral cord space (LCS) were obtained at the apical level in AIS subjects. Same parameters were obtained in normal controls at matched vertebral levels. Correlations were made with cord to vertebral column length ratio, cerebellar tonsil position and SSEP findings. Results. AP/TS cord ratio and LCS ratio were increased in AIS subjects in the presence of reduced spinal cord to vertebral length ratio when compared with normal controls (P < 0.05). The above ratios were exaggerated in AIS subjects with abnormal SSEP findings. The AP/TS cord ratio and LCS ratio were negatively correlated with the cord to vertebral column length ratio (rho = −0.410 and −0.313, P < 0.01) and cerebellar tonsillar level (rho = −0.309 and −0.432, P < 0.01). Conclusion. Our study suggests presence of tethering and increased tension along the longitudinal axis of spinal cord with associated morphologic changes of cross-sectional shape and relative position of the cord.
The Relationship between Organizational Cultures, Leadership and Teacher Work Satisfaction towards Teacher Performance

The objectives of this study to examine the relationship between teacher’s organizational culture, leadership, and teacher's satisfaction and teacher's performance. The research was conducted at Junior State High School of Bogor at 2013.The applied research methods are survey methods and data analysis technique using the correlation and sample linier regression as well as correlation research which consist of three independent variables namely Organizational Culture, Leadership, and Teachers Satisfaction and Teacher Performance. This research involved samples of 91 teachers which were selected by proportional random sampling; meanwhile the hypothesis test is conducted on 0, 05 significance level. Result emerge that there is positive relationship between all variable tested in the study teacher’s performance under the following equation Y = 22,128 + 0,467X1 + 0.368X2 + 0.267X3 with a correlation coefficient ry1 of 0.812 and a coefficient of determination Ry1 2 of 0.421, teacher work satisfaction to teacher’s performance revealed regression coefficient of determination Ry2 2 of 0.666, organizational culture and teacher’s performance with the regression equation Y =85.276 + 0.571X1 with correlation coefficient ry3 of 0.649 and a coefficient of determination R3 2 of 0.421. It’s concluded that teacher’s performance can be improved trough Organizational Culture, Teachers works’ satisfaction and Leadership in schools.
Bisphenol-A: an estrogenic substance is released from polycarbonate flasks during autoclaving.

In studies to determine whether Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced estrogens, the organism was grown in culture media prepared using distilled water autoclaved in polycarbonate flasks. The yeast-conditioned media showed the presence of a substance that competed with [3H]estradiol for binding to estrogen receptors (ER) from rat uterus. However, it soon became clear that the estrogenic substance in the conditioned media was not a product of the yeast grown in culture, but was leached out of the polycarbonate flasks during the autoclaving procedure. [3H]Estradiol displacement activity was monitored by ER RRA, and the active substance was purified from autoclaved medium using a series of HPLC steps. The final purified product was identified as bisphenol-A (BPA) by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. BPA could also be identified in distilled water autoclaved in polycarbonate flasks without the requirement of either the organism or the constituents of the culture medium. Authentic BPA was active in competitive RRAs, demonstrating an affinity approximately 1:2000 that of estradiol for ER. In functional assays, BPA (10-25 nM) induced progesterone receptors in cultured human mammary cancer cells (MCF-7) at a potency of approximately 1:5000 compared to that of estradiol. The BPA effect on PR induction was blocked by tamoxifen. In addition, BPA (25 nM) increased the rate of proliferation of MCF-7 cells assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Thus, BPA exhibited estrogenic activity by both RRA and two functional bioresponse assays. Finally, MCF-7 cells grown in media prepared with water autoclaved in polycarbonate exhibited higher progesterone receptor levels than cells.grown in media prepared with water autoclaved in glass, suggesting an estrogenic effect of the water autoclaved in polycarbonate. Our findings raise the possibility that unsuspected estrogenic activity in the form of BPA may have an impact on experiments employing media autoclaved in polycarbonate flasks. It remains to be determined whether BPA derived from consumer products manufactured from polycarbonate could significantly contribute to the pool of estrogenic substances in the environment.
Ethanol consumption produces a small increase in circulating miR-122 in healthy individuals

Abstract Introduction: MicroRNA 122 (miR-122) is a new circulating biomarker for liver injury, which increases earlier than conventional markers in patients with acetaminophen hepatotoxicity. However, as co-ingestion of ethanol is common with drug overdose, a confounding effect of acute ethanol consumption on serum miR-122 must be examined. Methods: Blood was collected from healthy volunteers before and after recreational consumption of ethanol. Routine biochemistry and haematology measurements were performed, and serum miR-122 was measured by qPCR. The primary outcome was the difference in serum miR-122 with ethanol consumption. Results: We recruited 18 participants (72% male). Their mean serum ethanol concentration was 113 mg/dl (95% confidence interval [CI] 91–135 mg/dl) after consuming ethanol. Serum miR-122 increased from a mean of 71.3 million (95% CI 29.3–113.2 million) to 139.1 million (95% CI 62.6–215.7 million) copies/ml (2.2-fold increase). There was no significant difference in serum alanine aminotransferase activity before and after ethanol consumption. Conclusion: miR-122 increased with moderate ethanol consumption, but the fold change was modest. As increases with acetaminophen toxicity are 100- to 10 000-fold, moderate ethanol intoxication is unlikely to confound the use of this biomarker of hepatotoxicity.
Effect of Endocrine Disruptor Pesticides: A Review

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) are compounds that alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system of both wildlife and humans. A huge number of chemicals have been identified as endocrine disruptors, among them several pesticides. Pesticides are used to kill unwanted organisms in crops, public areas, homes and gardens, and parasites in medicine. Human are exposed to pesticides due to their occupations or through dietary and environmental exposure (water, soil, air). For several years, there have been enquiries about the impact of environmental factors on the occurrence of human pathologies. This paper reviews the current knowledge of the potential impacts of endocrine disruptor pesticides on human health.
The stellar wind cycles and planetary radio emission of the τ Boo system

t Boo is an intriguing planet-host star that is believed to undergo magnetic cycles similar to the Sun, but with a duration that is about one order of magnitude smaller than that of the solar cycle. With the use of observationally derived surface magnetic field maps, we simulate the magnetic stellar wind of t Boo by means of three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics numerical simulations. As the properties of the stellar wind depend on the particular characteristics of the stellar magnetic field, we show that the wind varies during the observed epochs of the cycle. Although the mass-loss rates we find (2.7 x 10-12 M? yr-1) vary less than 3 per cent during the observed epochs of the cycle, our derived angular-momentum-loss rates vary from 1.1 to 2.2 x 1032 erg. The spin-down times associated with magnetic braking range between 39 and 78 Gyr. We also compute the emission measure from the (quiescent) closed corona and show that it remains approximately constant through these epochs at a value of 1050.6 cm-3. This suggests that a magnetic cycle of t Boo may not be detected by X-ray observations. We further investigate the interaction between the stellar wind and the planet by estimating radio emission from the hot Jupiter that orbits at 0.0462 au from t Boo. By adopting reasonable hypotheses, we show that, for a planet with a magnetic field similar to Jupiter (14 G at the pole), the radio flux is estimated to be about 0.51 mJy, occurring at a frequency of 34 MHz. If the planet is less magnetized (field strengths roughly smaller than 4 G), detection of radio emission from the ground is unfeasible due to the Earths ionospheric cut-off. According to our estimates, if the planet is more magnetized than that and provided the emission beam crosses the observer line-of-sight, detection of radio emission from t Boo b is only possible by ground-based instruments with a noise level of ? 1 mJy, operating at low frequencies.
Is foreign Portfolio Equity Investment Inspired Growth Hypothesis Relevant in Emerging Markets

Using panel data of 14 Asian and European emerging markets, this study examined the impact of foreign portfolio equity investments on economic growth. Generalised Methods of Moments (GMM) was used in order to cater for the dynamic nature of economic growth data and the possible endogeneity problem that exists between foreign portfolio investments and economic growth. The study noted that foreign portfolio equity investments positively but non significantly influenced economic growth in the Asian and European emerging markets, consistent with findings by Durham (2004). From a theoretical point of view, this finding is understandable since the current study excluded bonds (stable form of foreign portfolio investments) and only focused on foreign portfolio equity investments, a volatile part of foreign portfolio investments. Initial GDP was found to have had a positive and significant impact on GDP in line with Levine et al. (2000)’s observations. The study therefore urges Asian and European emerging markets to speed up the implementation of foreign portfolio investment enhancements policies and initiatives in order to guarantee long term positive growth. They should not only target foreign portfolio equity investments but foreign portfolio bonds investments as well if they intend to foster long term and sustainable economic growth.
Suppression of Power/Ground Inductive Impedance and Simultaneous Switching Noise Using Silicon Through-Via in a 3-D Stacked Chip Package

We have thoroughly investigated the advantages of a silicon through-via (STV) interconnection in decreasing the inductive impedance of a power distribution network (PDN) and suppressing simultaneous switching noise (SSN) in a 3-D stacked chip package. A double-stacked chip package with STV interconnections was fabricated and measured together with a similar double-stacked chip package with conventional bonding-wire interconnections. We successfully demonstrated that significant reduction of the inductive PDN impedance, from 1.66 nH to 0.79 nH, can be achieved by replacing the conventional bonding wires in the multiple-stacked chip package by STV interconnections. Furthermore, we have shown that the STV interconnections can considerably reduce high-frequency SSN, by more than 80%, compared to the conventional bonding-wire interconnections.
Meta-analysis of psychosocial interventions to reduce pain in patients with cancer.

PURPOSE Pain is one of the most common, burdensome, and feared symptoms experienced by patients with cancer. American Pain Society standards for pain management in cancer recommend both pharmacologic and psychosocial approaches. To obtain a current, stable, and comprehensive estimate of the effect of psychosocial interventions on pain-an important clinical topic-we conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies among adult patients with cancer published between 1966 and 2010. METHODS Three pairs of raters independently reviewed 1,681 abstracts, with a systematic process for reconciling disagreement, yielding 42 papers, of which 37 had sufficient data for meta-analysis. Studies were assessed for quality using a modified seven-item Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) coding scheme. Pain severity and interference were primary outcome measures. RESULTS Study participants (N = 4,199) were primarily women (66%) and white (72%). The weighted averaged effect size across studies for pain severity (38 comparisons) was 0.34 (95% CI, 0.23 to 0.46; P < .001), and the effect size for pain interference (four comparisons) was 0.40 (95% CI, 0.21 to 0.60; P < .001). Studies that monitored whether treatment was delivered as intended had larger effects than those that did not (P = .04). CONCLUSION Psychosocial interventions had medium-size effects on both pain severity and interference. These robust findings support the systematic implementation of quality-controlled psychosocial interventions as part of a multimodal approach to the management of pain in patients with cancer.
Developmental and Functional Abilities in Children With Cerebral Palsy as Related to Pattern and Level of Motor Function

Abilities among school-aged children with cerebral palsy with different patterns and levels of motor function were evaluated. Children within spasticity patterns (33 with quadriplegia, 25 with hemiplegia, 19 with diplegia) and Gross Motor Function Classification System levels were compared (level I, walking = 47%; level II-III, restricted ambulation = 18%; level IV-V, wheelchair needs = 34%,). Outcomes included measures of intelligence, behavior, motor, and functional limitations (communication, daily living, socialization). Motor performance and prosocial behaviors were lower for children with quadriplegia (F = 16.13, 12.71; P < .0001), with no differences for behavioral difficulties between spasticity groups. Prosocial behaviors were different between level IV-V and other groups (F = 16.25, P < .0001). Functional limitations were more likely for children with quadriplegia (P < .0001), but not diplegia or hemiplegia, and for children in level IV-V, but similar for level I and level II-III. Children with quadriplegia, or level IV-V, are more likely to exhibit limitations, whereas children with better motor function (I-III), hemiplegia, or diplegia, exhibit diverse capabilities. A holistic assessment approach is essential to ensure that limitations are addressed comprehensively.
TAp73 is a central transcriptional regulator of airway multiciliogenesis

In this study, Nemajerova et al. identify TP73, a p53 homolog, as a key regulator of airway multiciliogenesis. They show that mice with TP73 deficiency suffer from chronic respiratory tract infections due to profound defects in ciliogenesis and complete loss of mucociliary clearance and identify the downstream components of TP73 during multiciliogenesis.
Increased arterial stiffness in female‐to‐male transsexuals treated with androgen

Aim: Female‐to‐male (FTM) transsexuals are treated with long‐term and high‐dose androgen. Although androgen is known to affect the cardiovascular system, vascular function in FTM transsexuals has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the arterial stiffness in FTM transsexuals treated with androgen.
Symptoms of non-gonococcal urethritis in heterosexual men: a case control study

Objective: To determine microbial and behavioural factors contributing to non-gonococcal urethral symptoms in men. Methods: Case-control study of heterosexual men with non-gonococcal urethral symptoms (cases) and without urethral symptoms (controls) attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Australia. Sexual behaviour and condom use were measured by questionnaire. First stream urine was tested for potential pathogens: Chlamydia trachomatis (ligase chain reaction), Mycoplasma genitalium (polymerase chain reaction, PCR), Ureaplasma urealyticum (culture and PCR), and Streptococcus spp, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Haemophilus species (culture). Urethral smears from cases were examined for polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Results: 80 cases and 79 controls were recruited over 4 months in 2002–3. 49 cases (61%) had urethritis by microscopic criteria, 17 (21%) had Chlamydia trachomatis (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 27 (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.4 to 222)), five (6%) had Mycoplasma genitalium (OR 6.1 (95% CI: 0.6 to 61)), and 11 (14%) had Gardnerella vaginalis (OR 9.0 (95% CI: 1.6 to 52)). Other organisms were not significantly associated with urethral symptoms. The presence of urethritis on urethral smear did not predict the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis (OR 1.7 (95% CI: 0.5 to 5.4)). Urethral symptoms were significantly associated with unprotected vaginal sex with more than one casual partner (OR 9.3 (95% CI: 1.3 to 65)) and unprotected anal sex with a regular partner in the past month (OR 3.5 (95% CI: 1.0 to 13)). Conclusion:Gardnerella vaginalis and unprotected anal sex may cause symptoms of non-gonococcal urethritis. Microscopy of the urethral smear to diagnose urethritis in this population does not help to identify which men with urethral symptoms require treatment for chlamydia.
Organization of calsequestrin‐positive sarcoplasmic reticulum in rat cardiomyocytes in culture

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) regulates the levels of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ ions in muscle cells. Calsequestrin is a major Ca2+ ‐storing protein and is localized at special sites in the SR. To investigate the development of calsequestrin‐positive SR and its interaction with the cytoskeleton, we examined the distribution of calsequestrin in cultured cardiomyocytes from newborn rats by immunofluorescence with anticalsequestrin and antitubulin antibodies and rhodamine‐phalloidin. In frozen sections of neonatal rat heart, anticalsequestrin immunostaining was apparent as cross‐striations at Z‐lines. When newborn cardiomyocytes were isolated, calsequestrin‐positive SR was disorganized and was apparent as small vesicles beneath the sarcolemma, whereas myofibrils accumulated in the center of the cells. As the cells spread in culture, calsequestrin‐positive vesicles spread to the periphery of the cytoplasm, becoming associated with the developing myofibrils. In mature cells, calsequestrin was closely associated with myofibrils, showing cross‐striations at the Z‐lines. Double‐labeling using anticalsequestrin and antitubulin antibodies demonstrated that the distribution of calsequestrin‐positive structures was similar to that of the microtubular arrays. When the microtubules were depolymerized by nocodazole at an early stage, the extension of the SR to the cell periphery was inhibited. In mature cardiomyocytes, nocodazole appeared not to affect the distribution of the SR. These results indicate that the calsequestrin‐positive SR in cardiomyocytes is organized at the proper sites of myofibrils during myofibrillogenesis and that the microtubules might serve as tracts for the transport of components of the SR. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Examining the Effectiveness of the Smoking Prevention Program “I Do Not Smoke, I Exercise” in Elementary and Secondary School Settings

The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the smoking prevention program “I do not smoke, I exercise” implemented with elementary and secondary school students. “I do not smoke, I exercise” is a theory-based smoking prevention program that promotes exercise as an alternative of smoking. The program consists of eight sessions implemented weekly. Participants were 338 Greek students (135 elementary and 203 secondary students) who were pre- and posttested in smoking, program, and exercise-related measures. The results showed that the program had significant effects on elementary students’ attitudes toward smoking, intention to smoke, subjective norms, attitudes toward the application of the program, and knowledge about the health consequences of smoking. For secondary students, significant effects were found on students’ perceived behavioral control and knowledge about the health consequences of smoking, while very few students reported a smoking experience before and after the intervention. Therefore the program “I do not smoke, I exercise” may have positive effects on variables related with smoking behavior. Differences in the program’s impact on elementary and secondary students were identified. All these are discussed with reference to the need of implementing smoking prevention programs in schools contexts.
A Retrospective on the Vision for Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action

Abstract:The organizers founded Progress in Community Health Partnerships with a commitment to improving our understanding of community-based participatory research (CBPR) and its use in community–academic/institutional health partnerships. Following Rogers's Diffusion of Innovations, they reasoned that expanded adoption would occur through academic and community partner recognition of CBPR's relative advantage over previous approaches; its compatibility with the values, past experience and needs of potential adopters; its ease of understanding and use; its capacity for experimentation and refinement; and its production of observable results. We now assess the journal's progress toward realizing the vision, as well as issues and problems the organizers identified. We map the journal's content over its first decade onto the initial vision by examining the record of submissions and publications across the eight types of articles and the journal's record of rejections and publications. In remembering that Rogers's study of innovations requires both technical and social change, we discuss the difference between understanding how to do something and actually putting an innovation into action that becomes standard practice at both individual and systemic levels. We observe that the large number of Original Research and Works-in-Progress/Lessons Learned manuscripts, submitted and published, reflect traditional expectations for faculty research productivity. We suggest that sustainability, which rated of lower importance within the initial vision, has gained in importance among community and academic partners; however, it will gain added attention only with changed university expectations of researchers. We further suggest that the study of partnerships involved in researching and improving public health should be expanded beyond the current focus on CBPR.