Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Effects of Hepatocyte Growth Factor Isoforms on Epithelial and Endothelial Tubulogenesis1

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/scatter factor (SF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that acts as a mitogen, motogen, and morphogen for a variety of cell types. HGF/NKI and HGFINK2 are two naturally occurring truncated variants of HGF/SF, which extend from the NH2 terminus through the first and second kringle domain, respectively. Although these variants have been reported to have agonistic or antagonistic activity relative to HGF/SF in assays of cell proliferation and motility, their potential morphogenic actMty has not been investigated.
The effects of bile acids on colonic motility in the rabbit.

The content of the rabbit colon has been examined and found to contain the secondary bile acid deoxycholate. Infusions of sodium deoxycholate stimulated colonic motor activity, but the infusion of the primary bile acid sodium glycocholate did not have this effect. Infusions of control amounts of distilled deionized water and isotonic saline were not followed by a significant change in motor activity. Histological damage was caused by 15 mmol.l-1 solutions but was not severe till above 24 mmol.l-1. The possibility that mucosal damage produced motor activity was discounted by the fact that this damage was also present in rabbits treated by sodium glycocholate with no observed motor response. It is postulated that the secondary bile acid, sodium deoxycholate, could have a role in the production of colonic motor activity in the rabbit.
Isolation and Characterization of cDNAs Encoding Leucoanthocyanidin Reductase and Anthocyanidin Reductase from Populus trichocarpa

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) contribute to poplar defense mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stresses. Transcripts of PA biosynthetic genes accumulated rapidly in response to infection by the fungus Marssonina brunnea f.sp. multigermtubi, treatments of salicylic acid (SA) and wounding, resulting in PA accumulation in poplar leaves. Anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) and leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) are two key enzymes of the PA biosynthesis that produce the main subunits: (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin required for formation of PA polymers. In Populus, ANR and LAR are encoded by at least two and three highly related genes, respectively. In this study, we isolated and functionally characterized genes PtrANR1 and PtrLAR1 from P. trichocarpa. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Populus ANR1 and LAR1 occurr in two distinct phylogenetic lineages, but both genes have little difference in their tissue distribution, preferentially expressed in roots. Overexpression of PtrANR1 in poplar resulted in a significant increase in PA levels but no impact on catechin levels. Antisense down-regulation of PtrANR1 showed reduced PA accumulation in transgenic lines, but increased levels of anthocyanin content. Ectopic expression of PtrLAR1 in poplar positively regulated the biosynthesis of PAs, whereas the accumulation of anthocyanin and flavonol was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in all transgenic plants compared to the control plants. These results suggest that both PtrANR1 and PtrLAR1 contribute to PA biosynthesis in Populus.
Generalized Pseudolikelihood Methods for Inverse Covariance Estimation

We introduce PseudoNet, a new pseudolikelihood-based estimator of the inverse covariance matrix, that has a number of useful statistical and computational properties. We show, through detailed experiments with synthetic and also real-world finance as well as wind power data, that PseudoNet outperforms related methods in terms of estimation error and support recovery, making it well-suited for use in a downstream application, where obtaining low estimation error can be important. We also show, under regularity conditions, that PseudoNet is consistent. Our proof assumes the existence of accurate estimates of the diagonal entries of the underlying inverse covariance matrix; we additionally provide a two-step method to obtain these estimates, even in a high-dimensional setting, going beyond the proofs for related methods. Unlike other pseudolikelihood-based methods, we also show that PseudoNet does not saturate, i.e., in high dimensions, there is no hard limit on the number of nonzero entries in the PseudoNet estimate. We present a fast algorithm as well as screening rules that make computing the PseudoNet estimate over a range of tuning parameters tractable.
The role of attitudes and beliefs in learning to teach

Attitudes and beliefs are important concepts in understanding teachers' thought processes, classroom practices, change, and learning to teach. While attitudes received considerable attention in teaching and teacher education research between the early 1950's through the early 1970's, teacher beliefs only recently gained prominence in the literature. Summaries of the research suggest that both attitudes and beliefs drive classroom actions and influence the teacher change process (Nespor, 1987; Pajares, 1992; Peck & Tucker, 1973; Richardson, 1994-b). Teacher attitudes and beliefs, therefore, are important considerations in understanding classroom practices and conducting teacher education designed to help prospective and inservice teachers develop their thinking and practices. In such change programs, beliefs and attitudes of incoming preservice students and inservice teachers strongly affect what and how they learn and are also targets of change within the process.
A2E‐Mediated Photochemical Modification to Fibronectin and its Implications to Age‐Related Changes in Bruch's Membrane

Lipofuscin accumulates normally with age and is more pronounced in retinal dystrophies such as age‐related macular degeneration. The major bis‐retinoid component of lipofuscin is A2E. In addition to cell damage effects by A2E, we have previously demonstrated that blue‐light–mediated A2E leads to modifications in the basement membrane protein laminin. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to advance the understanding of A2E photooxidation effects on fibronectin, the major glycoprotein of Bruch's membrane. In this study, A2E was irradiated with blue light in the presence of a fibronectin peptide consisting of amino acids from the integrin binding region. The modification sites were identified via LC/MS. Our research indicated that blue light irradiation caused cleavage throughout the A2E molecule closest to the pyridinium ring, and attached to the fibronectin peptide preferentially at lysine and arginine residues. All of these reactions are similar to the Maillard reaction. Altogether this study suggests that blue‐light–irradiated A2E modifies peptides and forms advance glycation endproducts. Furthermore, these results can be used to identify modifications that occur in Bruch's membrane in vivo.
Subjective quality of life in relation to personality in people with psychiatric illnesses

Subjective Quality of Life in relation to personality in people with psychiatric illnesses The influence of neuroticism and extraversion on the three- factor model of subjective quality of life and domain life satisfaction Background: Personality traits, especially neuroticism and extraversion play an important role in subjective quality of life. Investigating this topic concerning to people with psychiatric illnesses is important because when knowing the factors and processes that influence subjective quality of life, it could be improved. This reduces costs for inpatient care, because people with a higher subjective quality of life are supposed to be able to live more independent. Furthermore it is important to investigate this topic for people with psychiatric illnesses with the three- factor model by Kim-Prietro and colleagues consisting of the components global life satisfaction, positive affect and negative affect (22). The present study adds the component domain life satisfaction because it represents the current satisfaction with different life domains. Method: The components of subjective quality of life are measured with three self-report questionnaires: DIALOG- questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in 19 people with psychiatric illnesses who live in psychiatric residential groups. The traits neuroticism and extraversion are measured with the S- form of the NEO-PI-R. Correlations and multiple regression analyses between components of subjective quality of life and extraversion and neuroticism are conducted. Results: Neuroticism significantly correlates with and predicts the components positive affect, negative affect, affect balance and global life satisfaction of subjective quality of life, in which the demographic factors sex, age and career add a contribution to the predictive value. Domain life satisfaction, correlates with extraversion and neuroticism. Conclusion: The present study shows that neuroticism is a main predictor of subjective quality of life and should be taken into account when trying to improve it in adaptive interventions. The concepts domain life satisfaction and global life satisfaction differ because domain life satisfaction seems to be indirectly predicted by the traits neuroticism and extraversion with other factors mediating this relationship, whereas global life satisfaction seems to be directly predicted by the traits neuroticism and extraversion. More research is needed to clarify the concept of domain life satisfaction and its relation to personality.
Noni Juice Improves Serum Lipid Profiles and Other Risk Markers in Cigarette Smokers

Cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress leads to dyslipidemia and systemic inflammation. Morinda citrifolia (noni) fruit juice has been found previously to have a significant antioxidant activity. One hundred thirty-two adult heavy smokers completed a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to investigate the effect of noni juice on serum cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and homocysteine. Volunteers drank noni juice or a fruit juice placebo daily for one month. Drinking 29.5 mL to 188 mL of noni juice per day significantly reduced cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and hs-CRP. Decreases in LDL and homocysteine, as well increases in HDL, were also observed among noni juice drinkers. The placebo, which was devoid of iridoid glycosides, did not significantly influence blood lipid profiles or hs-CRP. Noni juice was able to mitigate cigarette smoke-induced dyslipidemia, an activity associated with the presence of iridoids.
Pilot-scale Production of Functionalized mcl-PHA from Grape Pomace Supplemented with Fatty Acids

Amongst the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) family, the class of medium-chain-length PHA ( mcl-PHA) that contains C6 to C14 monomers has attracted a lot of attention due to its extraordinary diversity. In particular, the possibility to adjust material properties by controlling the monomeric composition, and functionalize it via introduction of vinyl groups is of great interest1. Whereas short-chain-length PHAs (scl-PHA, C4-C5 monomers) are readily available on the market2,3, largescale commercialization of mcl-PHA is still to be established. Reasons for this are lower PHA yields, more costly substrates (e.g. fatty acids) as well as the difficulty to control precisely the monomeric composition and thus the material properties of the biopolymer produced. In general, the carbon substrates used for the bacterial fermentations contribute to at least 30 % of the production cost4. Therefore, any notable improvement in this respect would have a remarkable impact on the production cost. Mcl-PHAs are produced as intracellular granules by Pseudomonas from either related substrates like fatty acids via the b-oxidation pathway5 or by unrelated sources like carbohydrates via de novo fatty acid synthesis6. The polymer composition is nearly constant when using unrelated sources, since the monomers are always derived from acetyl-CoA. In contrast, when fatty acids are used as mcl-PHA precursors, it is directly related to their composition and thus can be quite easily adjusted provided a well-defined fermentation strategy is applied7. As a result, fatty acids are normally used to produce tailor-made mcl-PHAs in a reproducible, controlled way. Nevertheless, cheaper alternative carbon sources may be used for the growth phase in order to reduce the overall cost of the bioprocess. The strategy then consists of (1) producing large amounts of biomass from a non-costly substrate (= growth phase), and (2) adding the fatty acids that are necessary for the accumulation of tailor-made mcl-PHAs (= mcl-PHA accumulation phase). As examples, Kim and co-workers designed a 2-step fed-batch cultivation with Pseudomonas putida BM01 using glucose for the growth phase and octanoate for the biopolymer accumulation phase8, and Sun and co-workers did a similar bioprocess with P. putida KT2440 growing on glucose and accumulating mcl-PHA from nonanoic acid9. More recently, Le Meur and co-workers genetically engineered P. putida KT2440 so that it could grow on xylose and produce mcl-PHA from octanoate during the accumulaPilot-scale Production of Functionalized mcl-PHA from Grape Pomace Supplemented with Fatty Acids
Pleth variability index to monitor the respiratory variations in the pulse oximeter plethysmographic waveform amplitude and predict fluid responsiveness in the operating theatre.

BACKGROUND Respiratory variations in pulse oximetry plethysmographic waveform amplitude (DeltaPOP) can predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients but cannot be easily assessed at the bedside. Pleth variability index (PVI) is a new algorithm allowing for automated and continuous monitoring of DeltaPOP. We hypothesized that PVI can predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients under general anaesthesia. METHODS Twenty-five patients were studied after induction of general anaesthesia. Haemodynamic data [cardiac index (CI), respiratory variations in arterial pulse pressure (DeltaPP), DeltaPOP, and PVI] were recorded before and after volume expansion (500 ml of hetastarch 6%). Fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in CI > or =15%. RESULTS Volume expansion induced changes in CI [2.0 (sd 0.9) to 2.5 (1.2) litre min(-1) m(-2); P<0.01], DeltaPOP [15 (7)% to 8 (3)%; P<0.01], and PVI [14 (7)% to 9 (3)%; P<0.01]. DeltaPOP and PVI were higher in responders than in non-responders [19 (9)% vs 9 (4)% and 18 (6)% vs 8 (4)%, respectively; P<0.01 for both]. A PVI >14% before volume expansion discriminated between responders and non-responders with 81% sensitivity and 100% specificity. There was a significant relationship between PVI before volume expansion and change in CI after volume expansion (r=0.67; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS PVI, an automatic and continuous monitor of DeltaPOP, can predict fluid responsiveness non-invasively in mechanically ventilated patients during general anaesthesia. This index has potential clinical applications.
Hospital-based trauma quality improvement initiatives: First step toward improving trauma outcomes in the developing world

BACKGROUND Injuries remain a leading cause of death in the developing world. Whereas new investments are welcome, quality improvement (QI) at the currently available trauma care facilities is essential. The objective of this study was to determine the effect and long-term sustainability of trauma QI initiatives on in-hospital mortality and complications at a large tertiary hospital in a developing country. METHODS In 2002, a specialized trauma team was formed (members trained using advanced trauma life support), and a western style trauma program established including a registry and quality assurance program. Patients from 1998 onward were entered in to this registry, enabling a preimplementation and postimplementation study. Adults (>15 years) with blunt or penetrating trauma were analyzed. The main outcomes of interest were (1) in-hospital mortality and (2) occurrence of any complication. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of formalized trauma care on outcomes, controlling for covariates reaching significance in the bivariate analyses. RESULTS A total of 1,227 patient records were analyzed. Patient demographics and injury characteristics are described in Table 1. Overall in-hospital mortality rate was 6.4%, and the complication rate was 11.1%. On multivariate analysis, patients admitted during the trauma service years were 4.9 times less likely to die (95% confidence interval, 1.77–13.57) and 2.60 times (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–5.21) less likely to have a complication compared with those treated in the pretrauma service years. CONCLUSION Despite significant delays in hospital transit and lack of prehospital trauma care, hospital level implementation of trauma QI program greatly decreases mortality and complication rates in the developing world. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Care management study, level IV.
Molecular Neuropathology of Gliomas

Gliomas are the most common primary human brain tumors. They comprise a heterogeneous group of benign and malignant neoplasms that are histologically classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the nervous system. Over the past 20 years the cytogenetic and molecular genetic alterations associated with glioma formation and progression have been intensely studied and genetic profiles as additional aids to the definition of brain tumors have been incorporated in the WHO classification. In fact, first steps have been undertaken in supplementing classical histopathological diagnosis by the use of molecular tests, such as MGMT promoter hypermethylation in glioblastomas or detection of losses of chromosome arms 1p and 19q in oligodendroglial tumors. The tremendous progress that has been made in the use of array-based profiling techniques will likely contribute to a further molecular refinement of glioma classification and lead to the identification of glioma core pathways that can be specifically targeted by more individualized glioma therapies.
SPAG9 is involved in hepatocarcinoma cell migration and invasion via modulation of ELK1 expression

Background Sperm-associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) is upregulated in several malignancies and its overexpression is positively correlated with cancer cell malignancies. However, the specific biological roles of SPAG9 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are less understood. Methods We analyzed SPAG9 and ETS-like gene 1, tyrosine kinase (ELK1) expression in 50 paired HCC specimens and adjacent noncancerous liver specimens using immunohistochemistry. SPAG9 small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knockdown SPAG9 expression in HCCLM3 and HuH7 cell lines. We used plasmids to upregulate ELK1 expression and siRNA to downregulate ELK1 expression in HuH7 cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to evaluate the expression of SPAG9 and ELK1 at the mRNA and protein level, respectively. Wound healing, matrigel migration, and invasion analyses were performed to determine the effect of SPAG9 and ELK1 on HCC metastasis. Results SPAG9 and ELK1 were overexpressed in HCC tissue specimens and their expressions were higher in HCCLM3 and HuH7 cells compared to the low-metastatic HepG2 cells. Overexpression of SPAG9 was positively associated with tumor-node-metastasis staging (P=0.032), metastasis parameters (P=0.018) of HCC patients, and ELK1 expression (r=0.422, P<0.001) in HCC tissue specimens. In addition, knockdown of SPAG9 in HCCLM3 and HuH7 cells using siRNA significantly suppressed cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, we observed inhibition of ELK1 expression and p38 signaling. However, ELK1 overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects of SPAG9 siRNA on HCC cell metastasis and ELK1 depletion inhibited HuH7 cell migration and invasion. Conclusion SPAG9 overexpression was positively correlated with HCC metastasis and SPAG9-induced migration and invasion were partially dependent on ELK1 expression in HCC cell lines. These results suggest that SPAG9 may be a potential anti-metastasis target effective in HCC therapy.
Estimation of Hydropower Generator Parameters Through Field Simulations of Standard Tests

Four standard test procedures-the three phase short-circuit test , the field decrement test, the slip test, and the applied voltage test-for estimation of synchronous generator parameters have been implemented in a time-stepping finite-element software. In this paper, the main features of the implementation and the postprocessing of data are described. The validity of the application is demonstrated by comparison with test results from the commissioning of a large hydropower generator. The method is shown to be effective in estimating most parameters. Better representation of the exciter and the interpole connections of the damper circuit is believed to enhance the compliance even further.
Securing RDS broadcast messages for smart grid applications

Efforts to reduce peak electrical demand has led to the introduction of demand response (DR) programs for residences. The RDS network is a strong candidate for delivering DR messages due to its low-cost nature and ubiquitous coverage. However, security concerns arise due to the wireless nature of the communication channel. We present evaluations of cryptographic methods that could be employed to offer source authentication over the RDS network. Simulations are used to determine the impact on the network performance by employing three digital signature protocols (BiBa, HORSE, and ECDSA). The simulation results show that, up to a distance of 90 km, all authentication schemes do not affect message reception by the receivers. ECDSA and HORSE outperform BiBa in terms of message reception beyond 90 km. ECDSA offers higher security than HORSE and BiBa but at the cost of increased computational complexity, in particular at the receivers. In addition, ECDSA has the highest bandwidth overhead.
Effect of hyperthermia on CHO DNA polymerases alpha and beta.

The heat sensitivity of polymerase . beta. (pol-.beta.) has been studied in a an attempt to assess the molecular lesions for heat killing and heat radiosensitization. Viable cells were heated, and then polymerase activity was determined in crude cell extracts by measuring the incorporation of (/sup 3/H) TMP into an exogenous, activated calf thymus DNA. The thermal inactivation of pol-. beta. activity was shown to correlate with hyperthermic cell killing and radiosensitization. Pol-. beta. activity decreased exponentially when cells were heated at temperatures of 43/sup o/C and above, and a 10-min 45.5/sup o/C heat shock reduced pol-. beta. activity by 80%. Also, pol-. beta. activity showed a 3-fold greater heat sensitivity than polymerase . cap alpha. (pol-.cap alpha.) activity at 43.5 and 45.5/sup o/C. When cells were heated at temperatures of 42.2-42.5/sup o/C, pol-. beta. activity decreased, but as for cell killing, tollerance to any further treatment was observed after 2 hr of heating. Thermal tolerance also was observed as a decrease in the rage of pol-. beta. inactivation at 45.5/sup o/C if cells were given either a preconditioning heat treatment at 42.2/sup o/C for 6 hr, or 45.5/sup o/C for 10 min followed by 24 hr at 37/sup o/C. Furthermore, when cells were heated at 42.2/sup o/Cmore » in the presence of 7 mM procaine-HCl, both cell killing and loss of pol-. beta. activity were greatly enhanced. Finally, the return of pol-. beta. activity after thermal treatment correlated with the decrease in radiosensitization as evidenced by an increase in survival as a treatment (10 min, 45.5/sup o/C) and subsequent X-ray treatment were separated by increasing amounts of time at 37/sup o/C. For example, during incubation at 37/sup o/C after heat treatment, pol-. beta. activity and the logarithm of survival increased over 4-fold, while pol-. cap alpha. activity increased only 1.4-fold to 75% of its control activity. « less