Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Lifeguard β-isoform in the development of breast cancer

In the last century there has been great progress in the treatment of breast cancer by improving drug and radiation therapy as well as surgical techniques. Despite this development, breast cancer remains a major cause of death among women in Europe and the US. The cause of breast cancer at the cellular level is still not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the expression of the Lifeguard β-isoform in breast cancer tissues. In contrast to Lifeguard, the β-isoform has one transmembrane domain less, which is the last of seven (99 bp), and due to this we suspect that the Lifeguard β-isoform exhibits a different function. We determined the expression and function of the β-isoform of Lifeguard in breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), a human breast epithelial cell line (MCF10A) and in breast tumour tissue sections. Western blotting, PCR arrays and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the expression of Lifeguard and its β-isoform. Moreover, we investigated the ability of Lifeguard β-isoform expression to inhibit apoptosis induced by Fas. Our results indicated that Lifeguard β-isoform is strongly expressed in breast tumour tissues. More notably, we demonstrated that Fas sensitivity was reduced in the MCF10A breast cells expressing the Lifeguard β-isoform. Taken together, our findings indicate the role of the Lifeguard β-isoform as an anti-apoptotic protein and provide further evidence of the potential of the Lifeguard β-isoform as a target for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Acanthamoeba keratitis: A masquerade of presentation in six cases

Acanthamoeba keratitis is an uncommon but devastating complication of contact lens wear causing significant ocular morbidity. Six consecutive cases occurring in Western Australia in an 18-month period are reported. In all cases either poor contact lens hygiene or an association with swimming pools and contact lens use is a feature. There is invariably a delay in making the diagnosis, with the appearance frequently mistaken for herpes simplex keratitis. In all cases corneal biopsy was required to confirm the diagnosis. Of the six patients, four responded to medical therapy alone, one required a corneal graft and one required enucleation. We suggest that earlier rather than later corneal biopsy is important in unresponsive cases of culture-negative keratitis, especially in contact lens wearers. We would agree that the treatment of choice is intensive topical propamidine and neosporin. Prevention by strict adherence to contact lens care and hygiene is urged.
META: Multi-resolution Framework for Event Summarization

Abstract : Event summarization is an effective process that mines and organizes event patterns to represent the original events. It allows the analysts to quickly gain the general idea of the events. In recent years, several event summarization algorithms have been proposed, but they all focus on how to find out the optimal summarization results, and are designed for one-time analysis. As event summarization is a comprehensive analysis work, merely handling this problem with a single optimal algorithm is not enough. In the absence of an integrated summarization solution, we propose an extensible framework META to enable analysts to easily and selectively extract and summarize events from different views with different resolutions. In this framework, we store the original events in a carefully-designed data structure that enables an efficient storage and multiresolution analysis. On top of the data model, we define a summarization language that includes a set of atomic operators to manipulate the meta-data. Furthermore, we present 5 commonly used summarization tasks, and show that all these tasks can be easily expressed by the language. Experimental evaluation on both real and synthetic datasets demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness of our framework.
Prenatal diagnosis of structural heart disease: does it make a difference to survival?

Is there a survival advantage conferred by the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease? There are two potential advantages of mid trimester diagnosis of fetal heart disease. Perinatal management in an environment where the appropriate expertise is available and prepared might result in improved outcomes after intervention in the newborn period in situations where this is required. Alternatively, prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease allows consideration of termination of pregnancy. Termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly is an emotive subject and has a wide range of acceptability in different societal contexts. Nearly 20% of all pregnancies in the UK were terminated for social indications in 1994 whereas the proportion in which the indication for termination was detection of fetal cardiac abnormality was about 0.02%. 1 If there is a survival advantage conferred by the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease, its demonstration has been elusive. The spectrum of heart abnormalities diagnosed prenatally differs from that seen in postnatal practice. Complex cardiac abnormalities, associated extracardiac abnormalities, and chromosome defects are over represented.2 It is not therefore surprising that outcomes for unselected series of structural cardiac abnormalities diagnosed prenatally have been poor, with high rates of spontaneous intrauterine or early neonatal death in continuing pregnancies. Intuitively, it might be thought that the most likely survival advantage conferred by prenatal diagnosis would occur in isolated cardiac abnormalities in which the natural history would be for early neonatal death to occur because of dependency of either systemic or pulmonary blood flow on continued patency of the arterial duct. Early encouragement for this view was provided by data which indicated that neonates born with hypoplastic …
Clinical and genetic findings in Finnish ataxia patients with the spinocerebellar ataxia 8 repeat expansion

Spinocerebellar ataxia 8 (SCA8) is caused by a CTG repeat expansion in an untranslated region of a recently cloned gene on 13q21. The pathogenic role of this trinucleotide repeat was evaluated by examining 154 Finnish ataxia patients and 448 controls. Expansions ranging from 100 to 675 repeats were present in 9 (6%) unrelated patients and in 13 (3%) controls. There was a threefold excess of shorter expansions (<204 repeats) in the ataxia series, and the expansions tended to cluster in patients with a family history for the disease. Clinical and genetic data were subsequently collected from 15 patients. Common initial symptoms included gait instability, dysarthria, and tremor. A marked cerebellar atrophy in magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography was found in all patients. Pyramidal affection was often seen, and various kinds of cognitive impairment were evident in 40% of patients. Disease progression was slow, and fluctuation of symptoms was commonly observed. A maternal penetrance bias was not seen, nor was there any clear‐cut negative correlation between age of onset and repeat number. Meiotic but not mitotic instability of the repeat expansion was evident. Haplotype analysis suggests multiple origins for the Finnish spinocerebellar ataxia 8 repeat expansions. Ann Neurol 2000;48:354–361
Major Postoperative Complications After Benign Gynecologic Surgery: A Clinical Prediction Tool

Objective The objective of this study was to create a clinical prediction tool to differentiate women at risk for postoperative complications after benign gynecologic surgery. Methods We utilized the 2005 to 2009 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program participant use data files to perform a secondary data-set analysis of women older than 16 years who underwent benign gynecologic procedures. We then temporally divided women into 2 similar cohorts. Our derivation cohort included all women undergoing benign gynecologic procedures in 2005 to 2008. Our validation cohort included all women undergoing benign gynecologic procedures in 2009. The primary outcome, composite 30-day major postoperative complications, was analyzed as a dichotomous variable. A prediction tool was then constructed to predict the occurrence of postoperative complications built from the logistic regression model by rounding the value of each estimated &bgr; coefficient to the nearest integer. An individual’s risk score was then computed by summing the number of points based on her preoperative characteristics. This risk score was then used to categorize women into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups. Results A prediction tool for benign gynecologic procedures identified women at low (2.7% and 2.4%), medium (6.3% and 6.8%), and high (29.5% and 23.8%) risk of complications in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Conclusions A prediction tool can differentiate women at risk for postoperative complications after benign gynecologic surgery.
Examining the relationship between the ability to shift visuospatial attention and visual awareness using lateralized power spectra

A measure derived from EEG was used to study the largely unknown relationship between visuospatial attention and visual awareness. The aim of the current research was to examine whether individual differences in visual awareness thresholds could be predicted by different capacities in the covert shift visuospatial attention. Also we proposed that the allocation of visual attention would have an induced rather than an evoked nature. A combination between an endogenous attention orienting paradigm and backward masking was used with LPS applied on raw EEG as measure. The results indicate that there are individual differences in visual awareness and that those differences are related to the ability to allocate visuospatial attention. Furthermore the results indicate an induced nature of endogenous, covert shifts of attention
Compressed sensing with corrupted Fourier measurements

This paper studies a data recovery problem in compressed sensing (CS), given a measurement vector b with corruptions: b=Ax0+f0, can we recover x0 and f0 via the reweighted l1 minimization: minimize |x| + lambda*|f| subject to Ax+f=b? Here the m by n measurement matrix A is a partial Fourier matrix, x0 denotes the n dimensional ground true signal vector, f0 denotes the m-dimensional corrupted noise vector, it is assumed that a positive fraction of entries in the measurement vector b are corrupted by the non-zero entries of f0. This problem had been studied in literatures [1-3], unfortunately, certain random assumptions (which are often hard to meet in practice) are required for the signal x0 in these papers. In this paper, we show that x0 and f0 can be recovered exactly by the solution of the above reweighted l1 minimization with high probability provided that m>O(card(x0)log(n)log(n)) and n is prime, here card(x0) denotes the cardinality (number of non-zero entries) of x0. Except the sparsity, no extra assumption is needed for x0.
Missouri Municipal Ethics Survey: Do Ethics Measures Work at the Municipal Level?

This article addresses the marked lack of scholarly work correlating common measures meant to improve ethical performance in local government (ethics codes and training) with actual levels of unethical behavior. Analyzing data from a survey specifically optimized to encourage honest reporting on ethical infractions, and administered to local government officials and employees in Missouri, this study is the first of its kind to adopt Lasthuizen’s typology of governmental ethical infractions. Results suggest that ethics training regimens (but not ethics codes by themselves) are correlated with measurable drops in reported levels of several of the most commonly observed ethical infraction types, though the relationship is more complex than previously reported. A surprising finding is that larger municipalities were subject to higher infraction rates, but were not more likely to implement ethics measures, indicating that these are the lowest-hanging fruit regarding ethics reforms. Further implications are discussed regarding the content and limited impact of ethics training, leading to recommendations for both practitioners and researchers regarding the full range of ethics measures.
Ceramic Identity Contributes to Mechanical Properties and Osteoblast Behavior on Macroporous Composite Scaffolds

Implants formed of metals, bioceramics, or polymers may provide an alternative to autografts for treating large bone defects. However, limitations to each material motivate the examination of composites to capitalize on the beneficial aspects of individual components and to address the need for conferring bioactive behavior to the polymer matrix. We hypothesized that the inclusion of different bioceramics in a ceramic-polymer composite would alter the physical properties of the implant and the cellular osteogenic response. To test this, composite scaffolds formed from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) and either hydroxyapatite (HA), β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP), or bioactive glass (Bioglass 45S®, BG) were fabricated, and the physical properties of each scaffold were examined. We quantified cell proliferation by DNA content, osteogenic response of human osteoblasts (NHOsts) to composite scaffolds by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and changes in gene expression by qPCR. Compared to BG-PLG scaffolds, HA-PLG and TCP-PLG composite scaffolds possessed greater compressive moduli. NHOsts on BG-PLG substrates exhibited higher ALP activity than those on control, HA-, or TCP-PLG scaffolds after 21 days, and cells on composites exhibited a 3-fold increase in ALP activity between 7 and 21 days versus a minimal increase on control scaffolds. Compared to cells on PLG controls, RUNX2 expression in NHOsts on composite scaffolds was lower at both 7 and 21 days, while expression of genes encoding for bone matrix proteins (COL1A1 and SPARC) was higher on BG-PLG scaffolds at both time points. These data demonstrate the importance of selecting a ceramic when fabricating composites applied for bone healing.
Relation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels with metabolic syndrome among US adults.

OBJECTIVE Previous research on the combined association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) with metabolic syndrome may have been limited by restricted age variability and a lack of representation of the general population. This study examined the combined association of 25(OH)D and PTH with Adult Treatment Panel III-defined MetSyn among a nationally representative sample of US adults. DESIGN AND METHODS This population-based cross-sectional study included 834 men and 820 women aged > or =20 years without diagnosed diabetes who completed a physical examination as part of the 2003-2004 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. RESULTS After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, lifestyle factors, total calcium, and energy intake, the odds ratio (OR) for MetSyn in the highest quintile of 25(OH)D (median 88.0 nmol/l) compared with the lowest quintile (median 26.8 nmol/l) was 0.27 (0.15, 0.46; P(trend)<0.001). This relation was unchanged after additional adjustment for PTH level (OR, 0.26; 0.15, 0.44; P(trend)<0.001) and did not differ by sex (P interaction 0.6) or age (< or > or =50 years; P interaction 0.2). In contrast, the multivariable-adjusted odds for MetSyn increased with increasing PTH among older men (P(trend) 0.004), but not younger men (P(trend) 0.4) or women regardless of age (P(trend) 0.4 in younger and older women). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest an inverse association of 25(OH)D with MetSyn, independent of potential confounding factors, calcium intake, and PTH, and a positive association of PTH with MetSyn among older men.
Part-Time Student Employees' Commitment: The Role of Culture Types

Part-time student employees fulfill vital roles for the university, while also gaining valuable work experience that direct perceptions and opportunities for future employment. This study examined the direct effect of organizational culture types on affective commitment of part-time student employees of college recreation departments. Specifically, using the Competing Values Framework (CVF), four major forms of organizational culture types (i.e., hierarchy, market, clan and adhocracy) were examined. Multiple regression was used to analyze the relationships. The findings from 442 part-time student employees revealed clan and adhocracy cultures were significant positive predictor variables of affective commitment in recreational sport organizations. These findings are practically relevant given the flexible state of life students experience while working in college.
Treatment of Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid With Mycophenolate Mofetil

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment of mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP). Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with clinical MMP seen in the Ocular Surface Disease Clinic at the Wills Eye Institute, between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2010, treated with MMF. The main outcomes measured were control of inflammation and discontinuation of MMF. Results: A total of 23 MMP patients taking MMF were identified. The median age of the MMF-treated patients was 77.0 years. Eleven of the 23 patients (47.8%) had biopsy-proven MMP. All patients were at least Foster grading system stage 2, with most stage 3 or 4. Eight patients (34.8%) failed previous treatments with dapsone, methotrexate, prednisone, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, or 6-mercaptopurine. The average duration of MMF treatment was 23.32 ± 33.17 months (range 1–124.83 months, median 7.4 months). Of the 23 patients with MMP, control of inflammation was achieved with MMF within 3 months for 56.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 54.5–59.6], within 6 months for 69.6% (95% CI 65.2–76.6), and within 12 months for 82.6% (95% CI 75.3–92.4) of the patients. Nineteen patients (82.4%) achieved control of inflammation, with 16 of the 19 (84.2%) achieving control of inflammation with MMF as monotherapy. Fifteen patients were treated with MMF as initial therapy. Twenty-one percent of patients (5 of 23) were taken off MMF for failure of inflammatory control (4) or an allergic reaction (1). Conclusions: Treatment of MMP with MMF in this uncontrolled case series resulted in control of inflammation in the majority of patients with minimal side effects. Our data support consideration of MMF as an initial treatment option for active ocular MMP.
Novel maritime channel models for millimeter radiowaves

This work presents and analyzes the results of millimeter-wave propagation simulations performed for over the sea LoS ship to ship communication channels. We present a channel characterization study where channel parameters such as path loss, received power, RMS delay spread, and power delay profile are obtained by using a ray tracing approach. 5G candidate frequencies, 35 GHz and 94 GHz were chosen as the primary bands of interest since these two bands have minimum water and oxygen attenuation, thereby promising better performance among the other frequency bands. Our results indicate that 2-ray analytical propagation loss model should only be used for short ranges over the sea surface propagation at typical frequencies considered by 5G. However, free space path loss model cannot predict the behavior of channel over the sea surface in high frequencies even for short ranges. Therefore, in this study a new model that is the modified version of 2-ray path loss model is proposed, in which a coefficient in the power of exponential function is introduced to better predict the behavior of maritime channels of 5G. It is shown that the proposed model can predict the path loss of maritime channel better than the existing models.
Irritable pouch syndrome: a new category of diagnosis for symptomatic patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

OBJECTIVE:Pouchitis often is diagnosed based on symptoms alone. However, increased stool frequency, urgency, and abdominal pain could be due to a condition resembling irritable bowel syndrome. This study was designed to assess the etiology of bowel symptoms using the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI). METHODS:Symptoms, endoscopy, and histology were assessed in 61 consecutive symptomatic patients with ulcerative colitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Pouchitis was defined as a PDAI score of ≥7, cuffitis was defined as endoscopic and histological inflammation of the rectal cuff and no inflammation of the pouch, and irritable pouch syndrome (IPS) was defined as symptoms with a PDAI of <7 and the absence of cuffitis.RESULTS:Thirty-one patients (50.8%) had pouchitis, four (6.5%) had cuffitis, and 26 (42.6%) had IPS. Demographics were similar in the three groups. Increased stool frequency, urgency, and abdominal cramps were the most common symptoms in the three groups. Rectal bleeding was seen only in cuffitis (p < 0.001). No patient in the three groups had fever. Twenty-seven patients (87.1%) with pouchitis responded to a 2-wk course of ciprofloxacin or metronidazole with a reduction in PDAI scores of ≥3. All four patients with cuffitis responded to topical hydrocortisone or mesalamine with a reduction in the PDAI symptom component score of ≥1. Twelve patients with IPS (46.2%) responded to antidiarrheal, anticholinergic, and/or antidepressant therapies with a reduction in the PDAI symptom component score of ≥1, whereas the remaining patients had persistent symptoms despite therapy.CONCLUSIONS:A substantial number of symptomatic patients after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis do not meet the diagnostic criteria for either pouchitis or cuffitis and have been classified as having IPS. There is an overlap of symptoms among patients with pouchitis, cuffitis, and IPS, and endoscopic evaluation can differentiate among these groups. Distinction between these three groups has therapeutic implications.
International Students' Perspectives on the Importance of Obtaining Social Support from Host National Students.

Students pursuing studies in a foreign land experience a disruption or loss of familiar support networks that function as powerful coping mechanisms in times of stress. Loss of social support has been associated with negative consequences such as depression, anxiety and loneliness. Researchers have categorized social support as emotional, practical, informational and in the form of social companionship. This study reports the findings of a study involving undergraduate international students pursuing their first degrees in four research universities in Malaysia. Using the quantitative methodology, a total of 400 questionnaires were distributed to international undergraduates with a return of 318 questionnaires. Results showed that many international students desired frequent social support from host national students in all four categories. Suggestions are made to institutions of higher learning to create a more supportive and conducive environment for intercultural contact in line with the efforts of internationalization.