Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antiinflammatory and analgesic activity of an inhibitor of neuropeptide amidation.

4-Phenyl-3-butenoic acid (PBA) has been shown in vitro to be a turnover-dependent inactivator of peptidylglycine alpha-monooxygenase (PAM), the rate-limiting enzyme involved in the formation of amidated neuropeptides from their glycine-extended precursors. In the studies reported herein, we have shown that PBA produces a dose-dependent (50-500 mg/kg s.c.) inhibition of serum PAM activity in normal rats without affecting peptidylamidoglycolate lyase activity. Because amidated neuropeptides such as substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide are involved in acute inflammation, we evaluated the effects of PBA on carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats. The acute administration of PBA (s.c. or i.p.) produced a dose-related inhibition of edema with maximum inhibition (67%) observed at 2 hr postphlogistic agent. In addition, the continuous administration of PBA to animals over a 7-day period using osmotic pumps not only inhibited hind paw swelling induced by carrageenan but also inhibited serum PAM activity and reduced tissue levels of substance P in hind paws. These results demonstrate for the first time a correlation between the antiinflammatory activity produced by an inhibitor of peptide amidation with its ability to inhibit serum PAM activity and lower endogenous tissue levels of substance P. Moreover, these results confirm our contention that PAM is an excellent pharmacological target for controlling the acute inflammatory response. We also demonstrate the ability of PBA to inhibit phenyl-p-quinone and acetylcholine-induced writhing in mice without affecting the spinally mediated tail immersion assay in rats. Because this analgesic effect was extremely rapid (within 15 min), PBA may be producing this effect by a mechanism other than peptide amidation.
Basicity of System of Exponents with Complex Coecients in Generalized Lebesgue Spaces

We consider a perturbed system of exponents e i nt n2Z , when the sequence f ng n2Z has a denite asymptotics. We study basis properties (completeness, minimality, basicity) of this system in Lebesgue space of functions Lp( ) ( ; ) with variable summability exponent p( ), subject to parameters contained in the asymptoticsf ng n2Z .
Strategie radzenia sobie z rozwodem rodziców podejmowane przez dzieci w wieku dorastania

W artykule prezentowane są wyniki badan nad efektywnością strategii zaradczych stosowanych przez nastoletnie dzieci w sytuacji rozwodu rodzicow. Autorka weryfikuje hipotezy o związku pomiedzy efektywnością zaradczą rodzicow a efektywnością dzieci oraz analizuje zroznicowanie wplywow rodzicow na efektywnośc dzieci. Badaniem objeto cale rodziny: matki, ojcow i dzieci. Waznym kryterium doboru proby badawczej byl rowniez nie dluzszy niz 10-letni staz rozwodowy matki i ojca oraz zamieszkanie w duzym mieście.
Radiation pattern measurement assembly for millimeter-wave antenna by flip-chip interconnect and end launch connector

This paper presents an antenna measurement assembly for millimeter-wave antenna pattern measurement. The assembly consists of antenna under test (AUT) with ground signal ground (GSG) pad, flip-chip interconnect using gold studs with non-conductive film (NCF), a connection substrate, and an end launch coaxial connector. Flip-chip interconnects using gold studs and NCF are utilized to provide low parasitic signal path between AUT and grounded CPW on the connection substrate. An end launch coaxial connector is then screwed at the other end of GCPW for handy antenna pattern measurement in anechoic chamber. The coaxial connector also can be detached and reused again. A patch antenna fabricated in low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) is used as AUT for antenna pattern measurement. The operating frequency is from 58 GHz to 64 GHz. The measurement results of radiation patterns agree well with simulation.
A Point‐by‐Point Response to Recent Arguments Against the Use of Statins in Primary Prevention

Recently, a debate over the merits of statin therapy in primary prevention was published in the Wall Street Journal. The statin opponent claimed that statins should only be used in secondary prevention and never in any primary‐prevention patients at risk for cardiovascular events. In this evidence‐based rebuttal to those claims, we review the evidence supporting the efficacy of statin therapy in primary prevention. Cardiovascular risk is a continuum in which those at an elevated risk of events stand to benefit from early initiation of therapy. Statins should not be reserved until after a patient suffers the catastrophic consequences of atherosclerosis. Contrary to the assertions of the statin opponent, this principle has been demonstrated through reductions in heart attacks, strokes, and mortality in numerous randomized controlled primary‐prevention statin trials. Furthermore, data show that once a patient tolerates the initial treatment period, the few side effects that subsequently emerge are largely reversible. Accordingly, every major guidelines committee endorses statin use in secondary prevention and selectively in primary prevention for those with risk factors. The foundation for prevention remains increased physical activity, better dietary habits, and smoking cessation. However, prevention of heart attacks, strokes, and death from cardiovascular disease does not have to be all or none—all statin or all lifestyle. In selected at‐risk individuals, the combination of pharmacotherapy and lifestyle changes is more effective than either alone. Future investigation in prevention should focus on improving our ability to identify these at‐risk individuals.
Relationship of Ultrasonic Spectral Parameters to Features of Tissue Microstructure

Absfract-&mlytical studies have been conducted to investigate the importance of specific tissue features in determining ultrasonic spectral “signatures” that have proven to be diagnostically useful. Three models of tissue microstructure were considered, and calibrated power spectra were computed for a series of scatterer sizes, concentrations, and acoustic impedances. General results were obtained, then specific parameters were employed to simulate studies of the eye and liver. These results were compared to clinical data-base information, and excellent correspondence was found. Studies using acoustic microscopy, test objects, and clinical data are continuing to refine the analytical model. I. INTRODUCTION U
Measuring Income-Related Inequalities in Health in Multi-Country Analysis

Health inequalities remain a cause of concern for policymakers across the world. However, the measurement and monitoring of health inequalities over time and across countries remain a research challenge. The concentration index is one of the most popular measurement tools, however, it presents several drawbacks, especially for bounded variables, which are discussed in this study. Results from the European Community Household Panel dataset and the Statistics of Income and Living Conditions for Europe suggest that there is evidence of persistent socioeconomic inequalities in health in Europe. Further, results show the need of reporting both absolute and relative inequalities for appropriately monitoring and comparing trends in health inequalities across countries.
Skeletal morphology and postmetamorphic ontogeny of Acris crepitans (Anura: Hylidae): A case of miniaturization in frogs

Acris crepitans is a small, semiaquatic member of the treefrog family Hylidae. Much recent attention has been paid to this species because of reports of population declines and malformations, yet few works have considered the skeletal anatomy of this common North American frog. Herein, we provide a detailed description of the morphology and adult ontogeny of the skeleton of A. crepitans, and discuss novel morphologies, interesting postmetamorphic developmental patterns, and intraspecific skeletal variation. The reduced amount of adult ossification, as well as several novel morphologies present in this species, are consistent with patterns of miniaturization seen in other anurans. For example, the skull is poorly ossified, but most of the cranial cartilages are heavily mineralized, the nasal bones are fused to endochondral ossification of the tectum nasi, the palatines are reduced, and the prootics and exoccipitals are not fused to one another (although the prootics are well‐developed and ornamented). In addition, several specimens exhibit abnormalities, which might indicate that: (1) the population was under an acute malformation outbreak, (2) a high incidence of small skeletal malformations is normal in this species, (3) the population is under stress because of habitat fragmentation, (4) there is environmental deterioration in the region where the specimens were collected, and/or (5) the species is now showing signs of decline in southern Missouri. Regardless of the cause, it is clear that further examination of skeletal variability in A. crepitans, including ossification patterns and the frequency of abnormalities, is warranted. J. Morphol. , 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using VisKit: A Manual for Running a Constructive Visualization Workshop

We present VizKit and a set of instructions on how to use VisKit to run a constructive visualization workshop. This constructive vi-sualization workshop was designed to introduce the basics behind authoring and interpreting visual representations of abstract data to lay audiences. The goal of VisKit is to provide both the material and procedure for conducting constructive visualization workshops that can engage lay audiences in a pleasant collective exercise. Here, we provide instructions as a manual, with illustrations of each step, to provide a potential workshop organizer with details about how to setup and run a constructive visualization workshop.
Pneumococcal Vaccine: A Tool for the Evaluation of the B-Cell Function of the Immune System

The pneumococcal vaccine has been developed to prevent infections caused by the most common of the pneumococcal serotypes. This review will describe the pneumococcal vaccine, its composition, recommended use, and current knowledge of the protective levels of antibody. In addition to the protective effects of the vaccine, however, a new use is becoming important. This new use of the vaccine takes advantage of the fact that bacterial polysaccharide antigens, in general, produce antibody which maintain a stable concentration over a long period of time. Since the half-life of immunoglobulins at best is 3 weeks, a constant level of antibody must result in continued biosynthesis at a rate equivalent to the loss incurred by catabolism. Any decrease in B-cell function which upsets the steady state would result in a lower level of antibody and/or a poorer response to immunization. It is this use of the pneumococcal vaccine, the measurement of antibody levels after immunization, which I term a tool for the evaluation of the B-cell function of the immune system. Composition of the 23-Valent Vaccine. Although pneumococci are exquisitly sensitive to chemotherapeutic and antibiotic agents, the work of Dr. Robert Austrian (1-5) has conclusively demonstrated that there is a significant mortality associated with pneumococcal infections despite prompt and adequate treatment. The inescapable conclusion therefore is the need for prevention of infection, hence a vaccine. That a vaccine is efficacious has been shown by the work of McLeod et al. (6) many years ago. More recent studies of the epidemiology of pneumococcal infections (2, 7-19) indicated that a limited number of pneumococci were responsible for the vast majority of infections. The first commercially available vaccines were discontinued with the advent of chemotherapeutic and antimicrobiol agents but recently a 14-valent vaccine was licensed (20).
Effects of a high-gradient magnetic field on the migratory behavior of primary crystal silicon in hypereutectic Al–Si alloy

Abstract The migration of primary Si grains during the solidification of Al–18 wt%Si alloy under a high-gradient magnetic field has been investigated experimentally. It was found that under a gradient magnetic field, the primary Si grains migrated toward one end of the specimen, forming a Si-rich layer, and the thickness of the Si-rich layer increased with increasing magnetic flux density. No movement of Si grains was apparent under a magnetic field below 2.3 T. For magnetic fields above 6.6 T, however, the thickness of the Si-rich layer was almost constant. It was shown that the static field also played a role in impeding the movement of the grains. The primary Si grains were refined in the Si layer, even though the primary silicon grains were very dense. The effect of the magnetic flux density on the migratory behavior is discussed.
The HVE/CAND1 gene is required for the early patterning of leaf venation in Arabidopsis

The hemivenata-1 (hve-1) recessive allele was isolated in a search for natural variations in the leaf venation pattern of Arabidopsis thaliana, where it was seen to cause extremely simple venation in vegetative leaves and cotyledons, increased shoot branching, and reduced root waving and fertility, traits that are reminiscent of some mutants deficient in auxin signaling. Reduced sensitivity to exogenous auxin was found in the hve-1 mutant, which otherwise displayed a wild-type response to auxin transport inhibitors. The HVE gene was positionally cloned and found to encode a CAND1 protein. The hve-1 mutation caused mis-splicing of the transcripts of the HVE/CAND1 gene and a vein phenotype indistinguishable from that of hve-2 and hve-3, two putatively null T-DNA alleles. Inflorescence size and fertility were more affected by hve-2 and hve-3, suggesting that hve-1 is hypomorphic. The simple venation pattern of hve plants seems to arise from an early patterning defect. We found that HVE/CAND1 binds to CULLIN1, and that the venation patterns of axr1 and hve mutants are similar, which suggest that ubiquitin-mediated auxin signaling is required for venation patterning in laminar organs, the only exception being cauline leaves. Our analyses of double mutant and transgenic plants indicated that auxin transport and perception act independently to pattern leaf veins, and that the HVE/CAND1 gene acts upstream of ATHB-8 at least in higher order veins, in a pathway that involves AXR1, but not LOP1, PIN1, CVP1 or CVP2.
Increased frequency of micronuclei in binucleated lymphocytes among occupationally pesticide-exposed populations: a meta- analysis.

BACKGROUND The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay is a standard cytogenetic tool employed to evaluate chromosomal damage subsequent to pesticide exposure. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the pooled levels of total micronuclei (MN) and binucleated cells with micronuclei (MNC) in 1000 binucleated lymphocytes among population occupationally exposed to pesticides and further determine the more sensitive biomarker of CBMN. MATERIALS AND METHODS A meta-analysis on the pooled levels of MN and MNC in binucleated lymphocytes among occupationally pesticide-exposed populations was conducted using STATA 10.0 software and Review Manager 5.0. 24 in this study. RESULTS We found significant differences in frequencies of MN and MNC in 1000 binucleated lymphocytes between pesticide-exposed groups and controls, and the summary estimates of weighted mean difference were 6.82 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 4.86-8.78] and 5.08 (95% CI: 2.93-7.23), respectively. However, when we conducted sensitivity analyses further, only the MN remained statistically different, but not the MNC, the summary estimates of weight mean difference were 2.86 (95% CI: 2.51-3.21) and 0.50 (95% CI: -0.16-1.17), respectively. We also observed pesticide-exposed subjects had significantly higher MN frequencies than controls among smokers and nonsmokers, male and female populations, and American, Asian and European countries in stratified analyses. CONCLUSIONS The frequency of MN in peripheral blood lymphocytes might be a more sensitive indicator of early genetic effects than MNC using the CBMN assay for occupationally pesticide- exposed populations.
TREATMENT OF ELDERLY CANCER PATIENTS: A PLANET IN EVOLUTION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors would also like to thank Dr. Ding Yew Yoong for his input on analysis. Financial Disclosure: None. Author Contributions: Ruth Chu-Ai Teh: study concept and design, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, preparation of manuscript. Wee Shiong Lim: study concept and design, analysis and interpretation of data, preparation of manuscript. Rohana Basri: acquisition of data. Noor Hafizah Ismail: analysis and interpretation of data. Sponsor’s Role: None.
Ultrasound accelerates healing of normal wounds but not of ischemic ones

To examine the influence of therapeutic ultrasound (US) on repair of standard and ischemic cutaneous lesions, full‐thickness excisional wounds were made in rats and treated with a US 3 MHz, 0.5 W/cm2 pulsed duty cycle. We used five experimental groups: control (received US powered off on the day of surgery, and on the second and fourth day), control US (received US on the day of surgery, and on the second and fourth day), ischemic (received US powered off on the day of surgery, and on the second and fourth day), ischemic US 3X (received US on the day of surgery, and on the second and fourth day) and ischemic US 5X (received US in the day of surgery, first, second, third and fourth day). The control US group showed acceleration in wound contraction 7 days after wounding, an increase in collagen density, and only focal inflammatory areas. Neo‐epidermis formation was more advanced in the control US group than in the control one. Wound contraction was delayed in the ischemic group when compared with the control group as well as the ischemic US 3X group, was but slightly accelerated in the ischemic US 5X group when compared with the ischemic group 7 days after wounding. Reepithelialization was delayed in both ischemic US groups when compared with the ischemic group. The number of inflammatory cells was higher in both US ischemic groups. We conclude that US therapy accelerates wound healing in normal wounds and delays wound healing in ischemic wounds.
Meta-analysis of the correlation between vitamin D and lung cancer risk and outcomes

In this meta-analysis, we analyzed the association between vitamin D levels and lung carcinoma risk and outcomes. Two authors independently searched the Web of Science, Pubmed, EBSCO and Ovid MEDLINE resources with the key words “vitamin D, lung cancer, solar and latitude” and enrolled 22 studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria. The summary odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random (or fixed)-effects model. Potential confounders were carefully adjusted. High vitamin D (or calcium) intake and serum 25(OH)D levels each correlated inversely with lung cancer risk [OR = 0.72 (95% CI: 0.61–0.85, p < 0.001) and OR = 0.89 (95% CI: 0.83–0.97, p < 0.05)]. High circulating 25(OH)D levels also reduced lung cancer mortality with the pooled OR reached 0.39 (95% CI: 0.28–0.54, p < 0.001)]. A positive trend was presented in the relationship between serum 25(OH) D and survival (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.87–1.18, p = 0.87). Subgroup analysis revealed that nonsmokers had higher vitamin D levels, which correlated negatively with lung cancer risk (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.65–0.88, p < 0.01). Moreover, lower sun exposure and high latitude associated with lower vitamin D levels. This meta-analysis shows that high vitamin D (or calcium) intake and serum 25(OH)D levels correlate with lower lung cancer risk and better prognosis. UVB and latitude may play a vital role in lung cancer occurrence and progression, although a direct evidence hasn't been obtained.
Modeling the economic losses from pressure ulcers among hospitalized patients in Australia

The objective of this study was to predict the number of cases of pressure ulcer, the bed days lost, and the economic value of these losses at Australian public hospitals. All adults (≥ 18 years of age) with a minimum stay of 1 night and discharged from selected clinical units from all Australian public hospitals in 2001–02 were included in the study. The main outcome measures were the number of cases of pressure ulcer, bed days lost to pressure ulcer, and economic value of these losses. We predict a median of 95,695 cases of pressure ulcer with a median of 398,432 bed days lost, incurring median opportunity costs of AU$285 M. The number of cases, and so costs, were greatest in New South Wales and lowest in Australian Capitol Territory. We conclude that pressure ulcers represent a serious clinical and economic problem for a resource‐constrained public hospital system. The most cost‐effective, risk‐reducing interventions should be pursued up to a point where the marginal benefit of prevention is equalized with marginal cost. By preventing pressure ulcers, public hospitals can improve efficiency and the quality of the patient's experience and health outcome.
Ethical Considerations in Implementing Mobile Learning in the Workplace

Workplace based personal and professional development is essential for students in the health, social care and teaching professions. In this era of ubiquitous computing recording and reflecting upon learning and reviewing student progress in the workplace is easily enabled via mobile technologies. Yet researchers and student users in these settings continue to find using personal, mobile technologies a challenge; though now it is much less a technical challenge than one requiring institutional and cultural innovation in permissions and behaviors within these settings. This article describes the outcomes of a recent international workshop conducted with experts in the fields of mobile learning and education on prioritizing areas of concern and establishing best practice. In conclusion it presents a framework for consideration by the mobile learning community that can be used to highlight or prioritize ethical considerations before conducting research into the use of mobile devices by students in workplaces and schools.
High density of weak replication origins in a 75‐kb region of chromosome 2 of fission yeast

Using a two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis origin mapping technique and cell synchronization, we have studied replication timing and mapped origins in a 75‐kb region of chromosome 2 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Three of the five mapped origins are moderately active and the other two are very weak. DNA fragments containing the three moderately active origins and one weak origin are ARS‐positive whereas that containing the other weak origin is ARS‐negative. Three ARS elements reported earlier from this region appear to be inactive as chromosomal origins. The centromere‐proximal 45 kb of this region replicates earlier than the telomere‐proximal 30 kb. A transition from early to late replication occurs within 10 kb of the chromosomally inactive ars727, suggesting a possible role of the previously reported late‐replication‐enforcing region in determining chromosomal replication timing of the region. These results in conjunction with those from some other studies suggest that, in S. pombe, the actual number of potential origins may be significantly higher than previously detected in many genome‐wide studies, and the relationship between ARS activity and chromosomal origin activity is not as simple as in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.