Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mutational analysis of the MTHFR gene in breast cancer patients of Pakistani population.

OBJECTIVES Since methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) maintains the balance of circulating folate and methionine and blocks the formation of homocysteine, its regulation in relation to different cancers has extensively been studied in different populations. However, information on Pakistani breast cancer patients is lacking. The MTHFR gene has two most common mutations that are single nucleotide additions which result in change of amino acids C677T to Ala222val and A1298C to Glu429Ala. METHODOLOGY 110 sporadic breast patients with no prior family history of cancer or any other type of genetic disorders along with 110 normal individuals were screened for mutations in exons 1 to exon 9 using single strand conformational polymorphism, RFLP and sequencing analyzer. RESULTS The p values for the 677CC, 677CT, and 677TT genotypes were 0.223, 0.006, and 0.077, respectively. Those for the 1298AA, 1298AC, and 1298CC genotypes were 0.555, 0.009, and 0.003, respectively. CONCLUSIONS We found an overall a significant, weak inverse association between breast cancer risk and the 677TT genotype and an inverse association with the 1298C variant. These results for MTHFR polymorphism might be population specific in sporadic breast cancer affected patients but many other factors need to be excluded before making final conclusions including folate intake, population and disease heterogeneity.
Serotonin and the heart

Serotonin is a naturally occurring vasoactive substance that has diverse cardio-physiological effects. These effects can be explained by the existence of serotonin receptor subtypes which mediate different biological actions. The vasoconstrictive actions of serotonin are mediated by 5-HT2 serotonergic receptors, and serotonin also amplifies the release and activities of other vasoconstrictors, such as angiotensin and norepinephrine. Abnormalities in the serotonergic system may play an important role in the patho-physiology of multiple cardiovascular disease states such as systemic hypertension, primary pulmonary hypertension and peripheral vascular disease. Selective 5-HT2 serotonergic receptor blockers have been developed which appear to be potent vasodilators with therapeutic potential in various cardiovascular disease states. The largest clinical experience has been collected with ketanserin, and other agents in this class are being investigated. Prolongation of the ECG QT interval with 5-HT2 serotonergic receptor blockers may pose a potential risk with these treatments in some patients.
Calorimetric analysis of the system Ag_2S–Ag_2Se between 25 and 250 °C

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrates that compounds in the pseudobinary system Ag_2S–Ag_2Se undergo rapid, reversible solid-state phase changes at temperatures between approximately 70 and 178 °C. These temperatures vary systematically with composition, with highs at the pure end members, Ag_2S (178 °C) and Ag_2Se (134 °C), and a low in the compositional range of approximately Ag_2S_0. 4Se_0. 6 to Ag_2S_0. 3Se_0. 7 (70 °C). These data are consistent with the presence of two solid solutions in this system at ambient conditions: the Ag_2S–III-type, monoclinic, ranging to approximately Ag_2S_0. 4Se_0. 6 and the Ag_2Se-II-type, orthorhombic, extending from Ag_2Se to Ag_2S_0. 3Se_0. 7. Entropies of transition of 6 to 9 e.u. characterize compositions within the Ag_2S-III-type solid solution, whereas values of 13 to 16 e.u. mark members of the Ag_2Se-II-type solid solution. The high-temperature allotrope is presumably a continuous solid solution between Ag_2S-II and Ag_2Se-I, which have similar body-centered cubic structures.
A dual yet opposite growth-regulating function of miR-204 and its target XRN1 in prostate adenocarcinoma cells and neuroendocrine-like prostate cancer cells

Androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer (PCa) causes neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) of prostatic adenocarcinomas (PAC) cells, leading to recurrence of PCa. Androgen-responsive genes involved in PCa progression including NED remain largely unknown. Here we demonstrated the importance of androgen receptor (AR)-microRNA-204 (miR-204)-XRN1 axis in PCa cell lines and the rat ventral prostate. Androgens downregulate miR-204, resulting in induction of XRN1 (5′-3′ exoribonuclease 1), which we identified as a miR-204 target. miR-204 acts as a tumor suppressor in two PAC cell lines (LNCaP and 22Rv1) and as an oncomiR in two neuroendocrine-like prostate cancer (NEPC) cell lines (PC-3 and CL1). Importantly, overexpression of miR-204 and knockdown of XRN1 inhibited AR expression in PCa cells. Repression of miR-34a, a known AR-targeting miRNA, contributes AR expression by XRN1. Thus we revealed the AR-miR-204-XRN1-miR-34a positive feedback loop and a dual function of miR-204/XRN1 axis in prostate cancer.
A net carbohydrate and protein system for evaluating cattle diets: III. Cattle requirements and diet adequacy.

The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) has equations for predicting nutrient requirements, feed intake, and feed utilization over wide variations in cattle (frame size, body condition, and stage of growth), feed carbohydrate and protein fractions and their digestion and passage rates, and environmental conditions. Independent data were used to validate the ability of the CNCPS to predict responses compared to National Research Council (NRC) systems. With DMI in steers, the CNCPS had a 12% lower standard error of the Y estimate (Sy.x) and three percentage units less bias than the NRC system. For DMI in heifers, both systems had a similar Sy.x but the NRC had four percentage units less bias. With lactating dairy cows' DMI, the CNCPS had a 12% lower Sy.x. Observed NEm requirement averaged 5% under NRC and 6% under CNCPS predicted values at temperatures above 9 degrees C but were 18% over NRC and 9% under CNCPS at temperatures under 9 degrees C. Energy retained was predicted with an R2 of . 80 and . 95 and a bias of 8 and 4% for the NRC and CNCPS, respectively. Protein retained was predicted with an R2 of . 75 and . 85 with a bias of 0 and -1% for NRC and CNCPS, respectively. Biases due to frame size, implant, or NEg were small. Body condition scores predicted body fat percentage in dairy cows with an R2 of . 93 and a Sy.x of 2.35% body fat. The CNCPS predicted metabolizable protein allowable ADG with a bias of 1.6% with a Sy.x of . 07 kg compared to values of -30% and . 10 kg, respectively for the NRC system.
Stability, stabilizability and exact controllability of a class of linear neutral type systems

Linear systems of neutral type are considered using the infinite dimensional approach. The main problems are asymptotic, non-exponential stability, exact controllability and regular asymptotic stabilizability. The main tools are the moment problem approach, the Riesz basis of invariant subspaces and the Riesz basis of family of exponentials.
Mindfulness for Children and Youth: A Review of the Literature with an Argument for School-Based Implementation

Interest in the use of mindfulness-based activities with children and youth is growing. The article evaluates empirical evidence related to the use of mindfulness-based activities to facilitate enhanced student learning and to support students’ psychological, physiological, and social development. It also provides an overview of interventions that include mindfulness. There is a need to provide children with a way to combat the stress and pressure of living in today’s highly charged world: mindfulness may be one helpful alternative. The implications of a universal school-based mindfulness intervention are discussed, and directions for future research are offered.
Photonic crystal fibres for coherent supercontinuum generation

Inthisresearchphotoniccrystalfibresweredevelopedforthepurposeofgeneratingcoherent supercontinua. Two photonic crystal fibres were fabricated with all-normal group velocity dispersionprofiles, withlow dispersion atpump wavelengths 800 nm and 1064 nm. Supercontinua generatedusing these fibreswereshowntohavesuperiorstability and coherencecompared with supercontinua generated in fibres with anomalous dispersion at the pump wavelength. Using a short piece of photonic crystal fibre with all-normal group velocity dispersion, pumped at 1064 nm, a self phase modulation spectrum spanning 200 nm was generated. The supercontinuum was re-compressed using linear chirp compensation to 26 fs, which was within a factor of two of the theoretical transform limit. This demonstrates the high spectral coherence, stability, and almost-linear chirp of the supercontinuum. Simulations showed that pulse compressionusing asupercontinuumgeneratedinaphotoniccrystal fibrewith anomalousdispersion at the pump wavelength would be limited by shot-to-shot fluctuations in the spectral intensity and phase, and the nonlinear chirp. Using alongerpieceof all-normaldispersionphotoniccrystal fibre,supercontinuumisgenerated by self phase modulation, and optical wave breaking. A broad flat supercontinuum spanning 700 nm, centred at 1064 nm was generated. This supercontinuum was spectrally filtered, and the pulses obtained analysed in the temporal domain. Clean, stable sub-picosecond pulses were achieved, demonstrating the applicability of such a supercontinuum as part of a compact, tunable laser source. The same experiment was carried out using a photonic crystal fibre with anomalous dispersion at the pump wavelength, resulting in pulses with a large portion of energy contained in broad shoulders, and higher order modes. Interferometric coherence measurements were carried out at 800 nm using a Ti:Sapphire laser. A supercontinuum was generated in all-normal dispersion photonic crystal fibre with low dispersion at 800 nm, spanning 400 nm. Supercontinuum pulses generated by consecutive laser pulses were brought together in time using an interferometer. The interference between consecutive pulses was viewed spectrally, and the interference fringes had high visibility across the whole supercontinuumbandwidth. Thisdemonstrateshighspectral coherence. Asupercontinuum generated in photonic crystal fibre with anomalous dispersion at 800 nm was tested in the same way, and the interference fringes obtained had lower visibility, indicating low spectral coherence. Theresearchpresenteddemonstratesthatphotoniccrystal fibreswith all-normaldispersion profiles can be used togenerate supercontinua withhigh coherence and intensity stability. This type of supercontinuum is applicable to ultra-short pulse compression, and can be spectrally filtered to create a broadband tunable ultra-short laser source.
Treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids with green tea extract: a pilot randomized controlled clinical study

Background Uterine fibroids (UFs, also known as leiomyoma) affect 70% of reproductive-age women. Imposing a major burden on health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) of premenopausal women, UF is a public health concern. There are no effective medicinal treatment options currently available for women with symptomatic UF. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of green tea extract (epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG]) on UF burden and quality of life in women with symptomatic UF, in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. Methods A total of 39 reproductive-age women (age 18–50 years, day 3 serum follicle-stimulating hormone <10 \U/mL) with symptomatic UF were recruited for this study. All subjects had at least one fibroid lesion 2 cm3 or larger, as confirmed by transvaginal ultrasonography. The subjects were randomized to oral daily treatment with either 800 mg of green tea extract (45% EGCG) or placebo (800 mg of brown rice) for 4 months, and UF volumes were measured at the end, also by transvaginal ultrasonography. The fibroid-specific symptom severity and HRQL of these UF patients were scored at each monthly visit, using the symptom severity and quality-of-life questionnaires. Student’s t-test was used to evaluate statistical significance of treatment effect between the two groups. Results Of the final 39 women recruited for the study, 33 were compliant and completed all five visits of the study. In the placebo group (n = 11), fibroid volume increased (24.3%) over the study period; however, patients randomized to green tea extract (n = 22, 800 mg/day) treatment showed significant reduction (32.6%, P = 0.0001) in total UF volume. In addition, EGCG treatment significantly reduced fibroid-specific symptom severity (32.4%, P = 0.0001) and induced significant improvement in HRQL (18.53%, P = 0.01) compared to the placebo group. Anemia also significantly improved by 0.7 g/dL (P = 0.02) in the EGCG treatment group, while average blood loss significantly decreased from 71 mL/month to 45 mL/month (P = 0.001). No adverse effects, endometrial hyperplasia, or other endometrial pathology were observed in either group. Conclusion EGCG shows promise as a safe and effective therapeutic agent for women with symptomatic UFs. Such a simple, inexpensive, and orally administered therapy can improve women’s health globally.
Molecular epidemiology of human respiratory syncytial virus over three consecutive seasons in Latvia

Lower respiratory tract infections caused by the human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) represent an immense burden of the disease, especially in young children. This study aimed to investigate the evolutionary history of HRSV strains isolated in the Children's Clinical University Hospital (Riga, Latvia) over three consecutive HRSV seasons. Of 207 samples from children hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections, 88 (42.5%) tested positive for HRSV by RT‐PCR. The seasonal activity started and peaked later than the average for the Northern hemisphere. Patients with HRSV lower respiratory tract infection were significantly younger than patients not infected with HRSV. HRSV‐A viruses predominated for two consecutive seasons and were followed by an HRSV‐B dominant season. Phylogenetic analysis based on glycoprotein G gene partial sequences revealed that viruses of both groups belonged to the worldwide dominant genotypes NA1 (HRSV‐A) and BA‐IV (HRSV‐B). High diversity of this gene was driven only partially by selection pressure, as only two positively selected sites were identified in each group.
Elaborated spaced-retrieval and prospective memory in mild Alzheimer's disease

Prospective memory, or the timely remembering of a planned action, is conceptualised as a cognitive process demanding episodic memory and executive attention. Impairments in these skills are characteristic of the cognitive decline in early Alzheimer's disease, providing an expectation of prominent prospective memory difficulties in this population, and yet surprisingly, memory performance in early Alzheimer's disease has rarely been evaluated within a prospective memory framework. In a preliminary study we demonstrated that older adults with early Alzheimer's disease (n = 14), as compared to healthy older adults (n = 14), were significantly impaired in a simple experimental paradigm of prospective remembering (a text-reading task). In a subsequent intervention study, we investigated the efficacy of spaced-retrieval for improving the prospective remembering performance of older adults with early Alzheimer's disease (n = 16) compared to healthy older adults (n = 16) under two learning conditions: a spaced-retrieval technique alone or spaced-retrieval combined with elaborated encoding of task. The majority of the Alzheimer's disease group (63%) demonstrated benefit in prospective remembering in the combined condition as compared to spaced-retrieval alone. Participants with Alzheimer's disease who demonstrated better executive attention (Trail Making – set-shifting) and/or better retrospective memory (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test–Revised – recognition) were more successful in the combined learning condition.
Genetic diversity in natural populations of Jacaranda decurrens Cham. determined using RAPD and AFLP markers

Jacaranda decurrens (Bignoniaceae) is an endemic species of the Cerrado with validated antitumoral activity. The genetic diversity of six populations of J. decurrens located in the State of São Paulo was determined in this study by using molecular markers for randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Following optimization of the amplification reaction, 10 selected primers generated 78 reproducible RAPD fragments that were mostly (69.2%) polymorphic. Two hundred and five reproducible AFLP fragments were generated by using four selected primer combinations; 46.3% of these fragments were polymorphic, indicating a considerable level of genetic diversity. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) using these two groups of markers indicated that variability was strongly structured amongst populations. The unweighted pair group method with arithmatic mean (UPGMA) and Pearson's correlation coefficient (RAPD -0.16, p = 0.2082; AFLP 0.37, p = 0.1006) between genetic matrices and geographic distances suggested that the population structure followed an island model in which a single population of infinite size gave rise to the current populations of J. decurrens, independently of their spatial position. The results of this study indicate that RAPD and AFLP markers were similarly efficient in measuring the genetic variability amongst natural populations of J. decurrens. These data may be useful for developing strategies for the preservation of this medicinal species in the Cerrado.
Prevalence of Depression in a Large Urban South Indian Population — The Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (Cures – 70)

Background In India there are very few population based data on prevalence of depression. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of depression in an urban south Indian population. Methods and Findings Subjects were recruited from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES), involving 26,001 subjects randomly recruited from 46 of the 155 corporation wards of Chennai (formerly Madras) city in South India. 25,455 subjects participated in this study (response rate 97.9%). Depression was assessed using a self-reported and previously validated instrument, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) – 12. Age adjustment was made according to the 2001 census of India. The overall prevalence of depression was 15.1% (age-adjusted, 15.9%) and was higher in females (females 16.3% vs. males 13.9%, p<0.0001). The odds ratio (OR) for depression in female subjects was 1.20 [Confidence Intervals (CI): 1.12–1.28, p<0.001] compared to male subjects. Depressed mood was the most common symptom (30.8%), followed by tiredness (30.0%) while more severe symptoms such as suicidal thoughts (12.4%) and speech and motor retardation (12.4%) were less common. There was an increasing trend in the prevalence of depression with age among both female (p<0.001) and male subjects (p<0.001). The prevalence of depression was higher in the low income group (19.3%) compared to the higher income group (5.9%, p<0.001). Prevalence of depression was also higher among divorced (26.5%) and widowed (20%) compared to currently married subjects (15.4%, p<0.001). Conclusions This is the largest population-based study from India to report on prevalence of depression and shows that among urban south Indians, the prevalence of depression was 15.1%. Age, female gender and lower socio-economic status are some of the factors associated with depression in this population.
A tethering mechanism for length control in a processive carbohydrate polymerization

Carbohydrate polymers are the most abundant organic substances on earth. Their degrees of polymerization range from tens to thousands of units, yet polymerases generate the relevant lengths without the aid of a template. To gain insight into template-independent length control, we investigated how the mycobacterial galactofuranosyltransferase GlfT2 mediates formation of the galactan, a polymer of galactofuranose residues that is an integral part of the cell wall. We show that isolated recombinant GlfT2 can catalyze the synthesis of polymers with degrees of polymerization that are commensurate with values observed in mycobacteria, indicating that length control by GlfT2 is intrinsic. Investigations using synthetic substrates reveal that GlfT2 is processive. The data indicate that GlfT2 controls length by using a substrate tether, which is distal from the site of elongation. The strength of interaction of that tether with the polymerase influences the length of the resultant polymer. Thus, our data identify a mechanism for length control by a template-independent polymerase.
Ps. Pyocyaneus Eye Infection *

FEW cases of corneal ulceration, proved to be of Ps. pyocyaneus origin, have been described. The case described below is similar to two reported by Ainslie and Smith (1952), and to ten reported by Bignell (1951), all of which were seen in London. The clinical history and appearance of the ulcer were so typical, and the response to Polymyxin B was so prompt that this case is considered worthy of record.
A Web Server Based Edge Detector Implementation in FPGA

Image edge detection plays an important role in applications such as handwriting and face recognition, corner and obstacle detection. This paper presents a web server-client implementation for remote image processing applications. The web server is implemented using the Microblaze soft-processor core in FPGA. The edge detection kernels are mapped on QUKU, which is a coarse grained dynamically reconfigurable PE array. We have also compared the performance of QUKU with alternative implementations in FPGA. The results show that QUKU provides a considerable speed-up in performance and gave the best area-time performance.
Compatibilized PP/EPDM/PA6 ternary blends: extended morphological studies

Polypropylene (PP)/polyamide6 (PA6)/ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) (70/15/15) ternary polymer blends compatibilized with maleic-anhydride-grafted EPDM (EPDM-g-MA) were prepared by melt blending using a twin-screw extruder (TSE) in different processing conditions (barrel temperature profile, screw speed, and mixing sequence). The microstructures of prepared ternary blends were studied and compared to the predictions of spreading coefficient, minimum relative interfacial energy (RIE), and dynamic interfacial energy phenomenological models. The observed morphologies were somehow different from the model predictions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular Epidemiology of Rotavirus Diarrhea among Children in Saudi Arabia: First Detection of G9 and G12 Strains

ABSTRACT In anticipation of rotavirus vaccine introduction in Saudi Arabia, this study was undertaken to determine the distribution of the G and P genotypes of rotaviruses in order to examine whether there was any emerging serotype or unusual strain circulating in children in Saudi Arabia. Of 984 stool specimens collected between 17 April 2004 and 16 April 2005, rotavirus was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 187 (19%) diarrheal children less than 5 years of age. Of these, 160 (86%) were classified into G and P genotypes as follows: G1P[8] (44%), G2P[4] (20%), G9P[8] (11%), G12P[8] (4%), and G3P[8] (4%). RNA polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis identified 94 (50%) specimens as long RNA patterns, 30 (16%) specimens as short RNA patterns, and 1 mixed infection. Only a single long RNA electropherotype was identified for seven specimens containing G12P[8] rotavirus. RNA-RNA hybridization demonstrated that the G12P[8] strains were similar in their genomic constellation to locally cocirculating strains and to a Nepalese G12P[8] strain. The Saudi Arabian G12 VP7 gene had a 99% nucleotide sequence identity with Nepalese and Indian G12 VP7 genes and belonged to the third lineage. This study is the first to describe the distribution of rotavirus G and P types and also the first to identify G9P[8] and G12P[8] strains in the country.