Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunocytochemical Distribution of VIP and PACAP in the Rat Brain Stem

Abstract: Recent evidence indicates that pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) might play an important role in rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) generation at the pontine level in rats. We have thus examined the immunohistochemical distribution of VIP and PACAP in the pontine and mesencephalic areas known to be involved in REMS control in rats. A dense network of VIP‐immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers was found in the dorsal raphe nucleus. A large number of PACAP‐positive perikarya and nerve fibers was observed in the area known as the REMS induction zone within the pontine reticular formation (PRF). The present results provide an anatomical basis to our previous functional data, and suggest that PACAPergic mechanisms within the PRF play a critical role in long‐term regulation of REMS.
Arbeitskosten im verarbeitenden Gewerbe unter Berücksichtigung des Vorleistungsverbunds

Internationalen Vergleichen der Arbeitskosten, die sich ausschlieslich auf das Verarbeitende Gewerbe beziehen, wird mangelnde Relevanz vorgeworfen, weil an der Erstellung von Industriewaren durch vielfaltige Lieferverflechtungen auch andere Wirtschaftsbereiche beteiligt sind. Eine Analyse von nationalen und internationalen Input- Output-Tabellen zeigt, dass die Bedeutung der Zulieferer zunimmt. Das Verarbeitende Gewerbe hat allerdings am gemeinsam mit allen Zulieferbranchen erbrachten Arbeitsvolumen, das fur die Erstellung von Industriewaren im Inland eingesetzt wird, noch immer einen Anteil von rund 80 Prozent. Zudem ist das Verarbeitende Gewerbe in Deutschland auch in Relation zu anderen Wirtschaftsbereichen eine teure Branche, seine Lieferanten haben gut 20 Prozent niedrigere Arbeitskosten zu tragen. Unter Berucksichtigung der Vorleistungseffekte sind die industriellen Arbeitskosten in Deutschland daher gut 4 Prozent niedriger als bei einer alleinigen Betrachtung des Verarbeitenden Gewerbes. Dagegen ergeben sich fur eine Reihe von europaischen Wettbewerbern nur geringfugige Kosteneffekte. Gleichwohl bleibt Deutschland trotz dieses relativen Vorteils das zweitteuerste Industrieland in der Europaischen Union.
El Uso De Los Términos Abandono Y Deserción Estudiantil Y Sus Consecuencias Al Momento De Definir Políticas Institucionales

Los estudios sobre el problema de la desincorporacion de los estudiantes a la carrera universitaria sin haber logrado la titulacion son cada vez mas frecuentes en America Latina y el mundo. Aunque las razones varien, es un fenomeno que se esta extendiendo de alli la preocupacion por investigarlo y poder generar las prescripciones que permitan no solo su minimizacion, sino la construccion de modelos predictivos que permitan detectar los factores de riesgos antes del ingreso del estudiante. Sin embargo, el uso indistinto de los terminos abandono y desercion puede obstaculizar el diseno de adecuados programas institucionales para atacar el problema. Se presentan los resultados del uso de estos conceptos en las investigaciones sobre la materia presentadas en las Conferencias Latinoamericanas sobre el Abandono en la Educacion Superior (CLABES), con el fin de evidenciar el uso equivalente de los mismos, se realiza una discusion teorica para delimitar ambos conceptos y evidenciar las implicaciones en la formulacion de politicas publicas, institucionales y proyectos de vida.
Calculation method of Cross Section area of collapsing dangerous Rock based on parallel Binocular Vision

Dangerous rock collapse may cause traffic accidents and other potential traffic safety hazards in mountainous areas. In this paper, aiming at the problem that dangerous rock collapse disaster is difficult to monitor and judge, a method of measuring the cross section area of collapse rock is proposed based on parallel binocular vision, which is convenient for the relevant departments to deal with the emergency ahead of time. This paper first calibrates the binocular camera on the MATLAB platform, and then corrects and matches the collected images on the OpenCV platform. The feasibility of measuring area by pixel method and spatial coordinate method is verified by using regular triangular and rectangular shapes. Then the pixel method is applied to the measurement of cross sectional area of rock collapse, which provides a method for predicting the disaster grade of collapse of dangerous rock.
Comparison of self-assessed competence and experience among critical care nurses.

AIM To determine the level of self-assessed nursing competence and the relationship to age and experience in nursing. BACKGROUND Nursing competence is a concern for all health-care stakeholders. Methods to measure competence have been evaluated worldwide. There is little agreement about the development or reliable measure of competence. Exploring these relationships can identify strategies for education, retention, professional growth and potentially affect patient outcome measures. METHOD The Nurse Competence Scale (NCS) was completed by 101 critical care nurses. Statistical methods were used to analyse the data. RESULTS The nurses self-assessed level of competence ranged from good to excellent along with an increased frequency of using competencies. Statistically significant relationships were found among the variables. CONCLUSIONS Measurable, significant relationships exist among the variables. The NCS proved to be a valid and reliable instrument to measure competence. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Objective and reliable assessment of nursing competence is an important measure for leadership and education. Further studies to identify other factors affecting the nurses' experience and the effect on competence will help to develop and promote supportive strategies.
Gastrointestinal Hormones and Regulation of Food Intake

Obesity has been described as the greatest current threat to human health. In order to design drugs to target obesity, it is essential to understand its physiology and pathophysiology. Several peptides synthesised in the gastrointestinal tract which affect food intake have been identified including ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) amide (GLP-1), oxyntomodulin, peptide YY (PYY) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP). These peptides represent potential targets for the design of anti-obesity drugs. In this article we review recent advances in our understanding of food intake by these gastrointestinal hormones.
Development of differential tolerance to the sedative and anti-stress effects of benzodiazepines.

Differential degree of tolerance has been reported to develop for anticonvulsant, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant effects of benzodiazepines (BZDs). Acute treatment with BZDs reportedly reduces the formation of gastric stress ulcers and attenuates stress-induced immunosuppression. The present study investigates whether tolerance develops to these antistress effects of BZDs by using diazepam and chlordiazepoxide as representative drugs. A single dose of diazepam (5 mg/kg, i.p.) or chlordiazepoxide (20 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a significant reduction in locomotor activity, a measure of sedative effect and antagonized the effect of restraint stress (RS) on gastric mucosal lesions and anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antibody titre. With chronic treatment (X 7 d), there was a marked tolerance to the sedative effect of both the studied BZD drugs, while much less tolerance developed to their ulcer protective action. However, no tolerance was observed to the attenuating effect of diazepam and chlordiazepoxide on RS-induced immunosuppression. Thus, the results of the present study indicate that different mechanisms may be involved in the development of tolerance to the sedative, antiulcer and immunomodulatory effects of BZDs.
Angiogenesis and vasculogenesis as therapeutic strategies for postnatal neovascularization.

The therapeutic implications of angiogenic growth factors were identified by the pioneering work of Folkman 2 decades ago (1). His laboratory’s work documented the extent to which tumor development was dependent upon neovascularization and suggested that this relationship might involve angiogenic growth factors that were specific for neoplasms. Subsequent investigations have established the feasibility of using recombinant formulations of such angiogenic growth factors to expedite and/or augment collateral artery development in animal models of myocardial and hindlimb ischemia. This novel strategy for the treatment of vascular insufficiency was termed therapeutic angiogenesis (2). More recent data suggests that the basis for native and therapeutic neovascularization is not restricted to angiogenesis but includes postnatal vasculogenesis as well. Data supporting these notions, as well as derivative concepts and concerns, are the subject of this Perspective.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO GENÉTICA DE OSTRAS Crassostrea spp. DA REGIÃO DE GRACIOSA E SANTIAGO DO IGUAPE - BA, POR MEIO DE MARCADORES ISSR

A atividade de ostreicultura de especies nativas no Brasil geralmente e realizada de forma empirica e carece de desenvolvimento de tecnologia para se consolidar. A genetica se apresenta como uma importante ferramenta nessa busca. A caracterizacao genetica e a determinacao da variabilidade genetica das populacoes naturais sao os primeiros passos a serem dados no sentido de se desenvolver a atividade de forma comercial. No presente trabalho foi realizado um estudo por meio de marcadores ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) sobre a genetica de 33 exemplares de ostra do genero Crassostrea provenientes de Graciosa, sub-regiao do baixo sul, municipio de Taperoa, Bahia e 33 provenientes de Santiago do Iguape, banhado pela baia do Iguape, povoado pertencente ao municipio de Cachoeira, Bahia. As populacoes estudadas apresentaram alta variabilidade genetica intrapopulacional. A variabilidade se mostrou maior entre os individuos de cada populacao do que entre as duas populacoes. Portanto, as populacoes de ostras estudadas oferecem a possibilidade de formacao de plantel com boa diversidade genetica permitindo sua utilizacao em cultivos e em programas de conservacao. Devido a grande variabilidade genetica encontrada, nao foi possivel caracterizar geneticamente as populacoes de Crassostrea spp. A pratica realizada com marcador ISSR se apresentou efetiva e permitiu inferir com seguranca sobre a variabilidade genetica das populacoes amostradas. Cita-se, portanto, que mais estudos devem ser realizados com pontos de coleta compreendidos geograficamente entre a regiao de Graciosa e Santiago do Iguape, a fim de se construir um mapeamento da interacao genetica entre as duas populacoes.
The current and future potential geographical distribution of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), is a major pest throughout South East Asia and in a number of Pacific Islands. As a result of their widespread distribution, pest status, invasive ability and potential impact on market access, B. dorsalis and many other fruit fly species are considered major threats to many countries. CLIMEX™ was used to model the potential global distribution of B. dorsalis under current and future climate scenarios. Under current climatic conditions, its projected potential distribution includes much of the tropics and subtropics and extends into warm temperate areas such as southern Mediterranean Europe. The model projects optimal climatic conditions for B. dorsalis in the south-eastern USA, where the principle range-limiting factor is likely to be cold stress. As a result of climate change, the potential global range for B. dorsalis is projected to extend further polewards as cold stress boundaries recede. However, the potential range contracts in areas where precipitation is projected to decrease substantially. The significant increases in the potential distribution of B. dorsalis projected under the climate change scenarios suggest that the World Trade Organization should allow biosecurity authorities to consider the effects of climate change when undertaking pest risk assessments. One of the most significant areas of uncertainty in climate change concerns the greenhouse gas emissions scenarios. Results are provided that span the range of standard Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenarios. The impact on the projected distribution of B. dorsalis is striking, but affects the relative abundance of the fly within the total suitable range more than the total area of climatically suitable habitat.
National Organ Retrieval Imaging System: results of the pilot study

Efficient utilization of marginal liver grafts is dependant on the accurate assessment and relay of graft‐related information to recipient units in an organ‐sharing network. Currently, information is conveyed by the recovery team over the telephone and can sometimes be inconclusive or incomplete. We have developed a web‐based instrument called the National Organ Retrieval Imaging System (NORIS) to improve this assessment process. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of real‐time data upload and the reliability of web‐based remote assessment in identifying donor livers with significant macro‐steatosis. Data from 153 donor livers uploaded to the website were analysed. Completeness of graft data uploads, accuracy of on‐site and two separate remote assessments using a semi‐objective graft score in identifying grafts with moderate or severe macro‐vesicular steatosis were analysed. Uploads were complete in all recoveries. Liver grafts with moderate or severe macro‐vesicular steatosis had a higher incidence of initial poor function (7/10 vs. 26/86, P = 0.029). Organ scores for steatotic grafts were significantly higher than nonsteatotic grafts in all three assessments (P < 0.001). Accuracy of the two remote assessors was similar to the actual on‐site assessment. There was a substantial degree of inter‐observer agreement between the assessments (kappa statistics = 0.658, 0.597, 0.698). Feasibility of real‐time data upload and reliability of remote graft assessment have been confirmed.
How to manage patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia is a rare systemic autosomal dominantly inherited disorder of the fibrovascular tissue with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Diagnosis is based on the clinical Curaçao criteria or molecular genetic testing. Dilated vessels can develop into telangiectases or larger vascular malformations in various organs, calling for an interdisciplinary approach. Epistaxis and gastrointestinal bleeding can result from these vascular defects. Various conservative and interventional treatments have been described for these conditions. However, no optimal therapy exists. Treatment can become especially difficult due to progressive anaemia or when anticoagulant or anti‐thrombotic therapy becomes necessary. Screening for pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) should be performed in all confirmed and suspected patients. Treatment by percutaneous transcatheter embolotherapy and antibiotic prophylaxis is normally effective for PAVM. Cerebral or hepatic vascular malformations and rare manifestations need to be evaluated on a case‐by‐case basis to determine the best course of action for treatment.
Novelty and Objective-based Neuroevolution of a Physical Robot Swarm

This paper compares the use of novelty search and objective-based evolution to discover motion controllers for an exploration task wherein mobile robots search for immobile targets inside a bounded polygonal region and stop to mark target locations. We evolved the robots’ neural-network controllers in a custom 2-D simulator, selected the best performing neurocontrollers from both novelty search and objective-based search, and compared performance relative to an unevolved (baseline) controller and a simple human-designed controller. The controllers were also transferred onto physical robots, and the real-world tests provided good empirical agreement with simulation results, showing that both novelty search and objective-based search produced controllers that were comparable or superior to the human-designed controller, and that objective-based search slightly outperformed novelty search. The best controllers had surprisingly low genotypic complexity, suggesting that this task may lack the type of deceptive fitness landscape that has previously favored novelty search over objective-based search.
RNA-directed DNA methylation in Arabidopsis

In plants, double-stranded RNA that is processed to short RNAs ≈21–24 nt in length can trigger two types of epigenetic gene silencing. Posttranscriptional gene silencing, which is related to RNA interference in animals and quelling in fungi, involves targeted elimination of homologous mRNA in the cytoplasm. RNA-directed DNA methylation involves de novo methylation of almost all cytosine residues within a region of RNA–DNA sequence identity. RNA-directed DNA methylation is presumed to be responsible for the methylation observed in protein coding regions of posttranscriptionally silenced genes. Moreover, a type of transcriptional gene silencing and de novo methylation of homologous promoters in trans can occur if a double-stranded RNA contains promoter sequences. Although RNA-directed DNA methylation has been described so far only in plants, there is increasing evidence that RNA can also target genome modifications in other organisms. To understand how RNA directs methylation to identical DNA sequences and how changes in chromatin configuration contribute to initiating or maintaining DNA methylation induced by RNA, a promoter double-stranded RNA-mediated transcriptional gene silencing system has been established in Arabidopsis. A genetic analysis of this system is helping to unravel the relationships among RNA signals, DNA methylation, and chromatin structure.
Nonoperative Management of Type II Odontoid Fractures in the Elderly

Study Design. Retrospective case series of elderly patients with Type II odontoid fractures, with prospective functional follow-up. Objective. We aimed to investigate the functional outcomes after nonoperative management of Type II odontoid fractures in elderly patients at a Level 1 trauma center. Summary of Background Data. Controversy exists regarding the most appropriate method of treatment of Type II odontoid fractures in the elderly population. The primary aim of management has generally been considered to be the achievement of osseous fusion. Methods. Patients ≥65 years of age presenting to a Level 1 trauma center with Type II odontoid fractures were identified retrospectively from a prospective neurosurgery database. Those initially treated operatively, or who died before follow-up were excluded. Long-term pain and functional outcomes were assessed. Results. Forty-two patients were followed up at a median of 24 months post injury. Ten patients (24%) were treated in cervical collars alone and 32 patients (76%) were managed in halothoracic braces. Radiographically demonstrated osseous fusion occurred in 50% of patients treated in collars and in 37.5% of patients managed in halothoracic bracing. However, fracture stability was achieved in 90% and 100% of cases respectively. In patients treated in collars, 1 patient had severe residual neck pain, severe disability, and poor functional outcome. There were no cases of severe pain or disability, or poor functional outcome in patients managed in halothoracic orthoses. There was no difference in outcome in those achieving osseous union compared with stable fibrous union. Conclusion. The nonoperative management of Type II odontoid fractures in elderly patients results in fracture stability, by either osseous union or fibrous union in almost all patients. Long-term clinical and functional outcomes seem to be more favorable when fractures have been treated with halothoracic bracing in preference to cervical collars. Stable fibrous union may be an adequate aim of management in elderly patients.
Cellular mechanism for selective vertical transmission of an obligate insect symbiont at the bacteriocyte–embryo interface

Many insects are associated with obligate symbiotic bacteria, which are localized in specialized cells called bacteriocytes, vertically transmitted through host generations via ovarial passage, and essential for growth and reproduction of their hosts. Although vertical transmission is pivotal for maintenance of such intimate host–symbiont associations, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the process are largely unknown. Here we report a cellular mechanism for vertical transmission of the obligate symbiont Buchnera in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. In the aphid body, Buchnera cells are transmitted from maternal bacteriocytes to adjacent blastulae at the ovariole tips in a highly coordinated manner. By making use of symbiont-manipulated strains of A. pisum, we demonstrated that the facultative symbiont Serratia is, unlike Buchnera, not transmitted from maternal bacteriocytes to blastulae, suggesting a specific mechanism for Buchnera transmission. EM observations revealed a series of exo-/endocytotic processes operating at the bacteriocyte–blastula interface: Buchnera cells are exocytosed from the maternal bacteriocyte, temporarily released to the extracellular space, and endocytosed by the posterior syncytial cytoplasm of the blastula. These results suggest that the selective Buchnera transmission is likely attributable to Buchnera-specific exocytosis by the maternal bacteriocyte, whereas both Buchnera and Serratia are nonselectively incorporated by the endocytotic activity of the posterior region of the blastula. The sophisticated cellular mechanism for vertical transmission of Buchnera must have evolved to ensure the obligate host–symbiont association, whereas facultative symbionts like Serratia may coopt the endocytotic component of the mechanism for their entry into the host embryos.
Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of simotinib, a novel specific EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: results of a phase Ib trial

Purpose: The aim of this phase Ib study (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01772732) was to assess safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PKs) of simotinib (a novel EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and EGFR gene mutation. Patients and methods: 41 patients with EGFR gene mutations were enrolled and received simotinib orally administered twice daily with dose escalating from 100 to 650 mg in 28 days cycle. Safety and tolerability were assessed through the study. Blood samples were collected for PK analysis on Days 1, 8, 9, 10, 15, 22 and 29. Tumor response was assessed at baseline, on Day 29 and every 8 weeks thereafter. Results: Simotinib was well tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was not found. 95.1% of patients experienced at least one adverse event (AE), and most of them were mild or moderate. Rash (41.5%) and diarrhea (56.1%) were the most frequently reported AEs. Simotinib was rapidly absorbed and eliminated with average Tmax ranging from 1 to 4 hrs and T1/2 ranging between 6.2 and 13.0 hrs after multiple-dose administration. No dose–response relationship between dose and exposure was observed after multiple-dose administration. 39.3% of the enrolled patients achieved a partial response and 46.3% had stable disease. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 9.9 (CI% 4.7; 12.1) months and 14.6 (95%CI 12.3; 22.5) months, respectively. Conclusion: Simotinib was well tolerated, with manageable AEs at doses of up to 650 mg and MTD was not reached. Further studies to explore higher doses are ongoing.