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Background: Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4, also known as WFDC-2) has been implicated in fibrotic disorders pathobiology. We tested the hypothesis that HE4 may be used as a candidate biomarker for systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD).Methods: A total of 169 consecutive SSc patients and 169 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled and blood samples were collected. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and paired lavage was performed on 169 patients and 37 healthy controls. All patients were classified as having SSc-no ILD or SSc-ILD, based on high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest, and a semiquantitative grade of ILD extent was evaluated through CT scans (grade 1, 0–25%; grade 2, 26–50%; grade 3, 51–75%; grade 4, 76–100%). Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) HE4 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: Serum HE4 levels were higher in SSc patients [median (interquartile range), 139.4 (85.9–181.8) pmol/l] compared with healthy controls [39.5 (24.3–54.2) pmol/l, p< 0.001] and were higher in patients with SSc-ILD [172.1 (94.8–263.3) pmol/l] than in those with SSc-no ILD [97.4 (85.5–156.5) pmol/l, p< 0.001]. This observation was replicated in the BALF samples. Corresponding values were 510.8 (144.6–1013.8) pmol/l for SSc cohort, 754.4 (299–1060) pmol/l for SSc-ILD, 555.1 (203.7–776.2) pmol/l for SSc-no ILD, and 238.7 (97.7–397.6) pmol/l for controls. The semiquantitative grade of ILD on CT scan was significantly proportional to the HE4 levels and the lung function parameter (i.e., FVC) had a negative correlation with the HE4 levels.Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate the potential clinical utility of blood and BALF HE4 as a biomarker for SSc-ILD. Future prospective validation studies are warranted.

Discusses the role of merchandise associated with popular print and electronic texts in socializing children into the values of a consumer culture. Use of puppets to draw the attention of children to books; Role of puppets and toys in learning environment to help children in recalling the stories; Developments in merchandise association with authors whose books have been recognized for child development.

Features children's book author Elizabeth Laird. Childhood; Educational background; Work as a teacher in Ethiopia; Published works; Novels for older children.

Presents various approaches to the Bible in literature. Classification of the Bible; Reference to the book `The Best Christmas Pageant Ever'; Information on cross-curricular applications; Other information.

Laser cladding coating is the focus of development in the field of die repair. It has the characteristics of uniform and compact coating, good bonding strength, little thermal impact on the substrate, and easy to realize automation. FeCr alloy coating was prepared on 738H die steel by laser cladding process. Based on MSC Marc finite element software and life-and-death element method, the numerical analysis model of laser cladding repair was establelished, and the temperature field, stress field and deformation under different process parameters were solved. According to the simulation results, the cladding process was formulated, the hardness and linear thermal expansion coefficient of the cladding coating were characterized, and the effects of the process parameters on the structure and properties of the coating were studied. The cladding coating matched well with the substrate performance was obtained, and the high quality repair of the die surface was realized.

The large fluctuation range of the operating head of some hydropower stations has an impact on the arrangement of the starting mode. In order to suppress the influence of the water head on the start-up process, a closed-loop start-up simulation model of a hydro-generator unit is established in this paper, and variable parameter control based on head adaptation is adopted. By comparing the performance indexes of the closed-loop start-up process between the conventional PID control and the adaptive variable parameter control, it is shown that the adaptive variable parameter control based on the head has better dynamic adjustment performance.

The article discusses key issues concerning historical fiction, such as historical fantasy narratives, that are aimed at young people in Australia. It includes background information on works of historical fiction, as well as fictional and documentary representations of history that are integrated into popular culture.

Presents an interview with children's literature author Isabel Allende on writing for children. Focus on novels for young people; Trilogy for young people, "City of the Beasts," "Kingdom of the Golden Dragon," and "Forest of the Pygmies"; Need for action; Focus on plot and character; Adventure stories which arise naturally from the main characters and their circumstances.

Profiles Australian author Leonie Norrington. Education; Career history; Titles released; Writing style.

Interviews writer and artist Lynn Linning. Her views on her book `Tree Directory'; Two aspects of the book `Tree Directory.'

Presents information on books introduced and literary lunches at the 1998 Children's Book Council of Australia's National Conference. Number of book launches, the State Library of South Australia allows authors, annually in their Institute Building; Book launched by Random House Australia publishing company at a champagne breakfast.

The availability of three genomes from smut fungi differing in mating, TE load, and genome defense mechanisms, allowed a comparative analyses and a discussion on evolutionary forces shaping them. A complex balance of selective forces seems at play. A bipolar mating system in Ustilago hordeipromotes selfing, advantageous for successful niche occupation but favoring accumulation of repetitive DNA, including TEs. TE activity may have caused genome variations necessary for these obligate parasites under high host selection pressures. Higher TE activity is balanced by genome defenses through recombination, RNAi, methylation and RIP mutagenesis. In tetrapolar U. maydis, lacking silencing and possibly methylation mechanisms, reduced inbreeding potential favors removal of repetitive DNA, presumably by its highly-efficient recombination system.

Features the book 'Write/Right/Rite at the Edge: Proceedings of the Sixth National Conference of the Children's Book Council of Australia held in Perth, Western Australia, 2002,' edited by Suzanne Wyche. Accurate recording of conference proceedings; Evocation of the moods and feelings shared by participants; Discussion of the role of children's literature in a troubled world.

Presents information on various stories pertaining to the Bible in picture book formats. Identification of picture books; Reference to paper engineering; Other information.

Presents information on various compact discs (CDs) relating to the Bible. Information on the CD `The Lion CD of the Bible and Christianity'; Reference to Bible Society bookshops; Details on the CD `The New Oxford Annotated Bible: Electronic Edition'; Other information.

Questions why the Bible is not included more often in English literature programs. Information on Bible stories; What is involved in literary approaches; Factors which contribute to the absence of the Bible in literature programs; Reference to books in which Bible stories are listed.