Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AEG‐1 induces gastric cancer metastasis by upregulation of eIF4E expression

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide, and patients with lymph node, peritoneal and distant metastasis have a poor prognosis. Overexpression of Astrocyte‐elevated gene‐1 (AEG‐1) has been reported to be correlated with the progression and metastasis of gastric cancer. However, its mechanisms are quite unclear. In this study, we found that elevated expression of AEG‐1 was correlated with metastasis in human gastric cancer tissues. Moreover, gain‐ or loss‐of‐function of AEG‐1, respectively, promoted or suppressed epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. AEG‐1 positively regulated eIF4E, MMP‐9 and Twist expression. Manipulating eIF4E expression by transfection of overexpression constructs or siRNAs partially eliminated AEG‐1‐regulated EMT, cell migration and invasion. In addition, overexpression or knockdown of eIF4E promoted or suppressed EMT, cell migration and invasion in parallel with upregulation of MMP‐9 and Twist expression, while manipulating eIF4E expression partially abrogated AEG‐1‐induced MMP‐9 and Twist. Finally, silencing of AEG‐1 expression not only inhibited tumour growth in parallel with downregulation of eIF4E, MMP‐9 and Twist expression in a xenograft nude mouse model, but also suppressed lymph node and peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer in an orthotopic nude mouse model. These findings suggest that AEG‐1 promotes gastric cancer metastasis through upregulation of eIF4E‐mediated MMP‐9 and Twist, which provides new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for cancer metastasis.
Systemic propranolol reduces b-wave amplitude in the ERG and increases IGF-1 receptor phosphorylation in rat retina.

PURPOSE To determine whether systemic application of propranolol, a nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, with an osmotic pump will decrease the b-wave amplitude of the electroretinogram (ERG) and increase insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 receptor signaling. METHODS Young rats at 8 weeks of age were treated with saline, phentolamine, a nonselective alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist, or propranolol, a nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, delivered by osmotic pumps for 21 days. On the 21st day, all rats underwent electroretinographic analyses followed by collection of the retinas for protein assessment using Western blot analysis for IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), Akt, extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF). RESULTS Data indicate that 21 days of propranolol significantly decreased the b-wave amplitude of the ERG. The decrease in the b-wave amplitude occurred concurrently with a decrease in IGFBP3 levels and an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of IGF-1 receptor on 1135/1136. This phosphorylation of IGF-1 receptor led to increased phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. VEGF protein levels were also increased. CONCLUSIONS Overall, beta-adrenergic receptor antagonism produced a dysfunctional ERG, which occurred with an increase in IGF-1R phosphorylation and activation of VEGF. Systemic application of beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists may have detrimental effects on the retina.
Helping students value cultural diversity through research‐based teaching

Although international students studying in New Zealand desire and expect contact with their domestic peers, the level of cross‐national interactions remains generally low. This paper describes an initiative to promote more and better intercultural understanding within a target group of students having similar needs and interests in a higher education setting. A research‐based teaching approach progressively increased student engagement with higher order cognitive skills and both topic and process were aligned in such a way that training opportunities in intercultural competence were explored while also providing a process that offered further training in intercultural competence. Enduring appreciation of cultural diversity issues was achieved via deep styles of teaching and learning that raised awareness, changed attitudes and behaviour and ultimately impacted classroom culture. Initiative design, evaluation and results are described and limitations noted. The findings should be of interest to teachers of multicultural students and to academics studying cultural diversity issues.
An estimation of the prevalence of intellectual disabilities and its association with age in rural and urban populations in India

Background: Intellectual disability (ID) is a global public health concern. Prevalence of ID and its association with age and other demographic factors is required for planning purposes in India. Objective: This study analyzed the age-adjusted prevalence of ID in rural and urban populations and its correlation with age in children and adults. Materials and Methods: Disability data published in the report (2002) of National Sample Survey Organization were analyzed, using Z-test to measure differences in age-adjusted prevalence. Spearman rho was calculated to determine strength and direction of the association, and regression analysis was used to predict prevalence rate, based on age in rural and urban population settings. Results: Overall, India has a prevalence of 10.5/1000 in ID. Urban population has slightly higher rate (11/1000) than rural (10.08/1000; P = 0.044). Age was found to be highly correlated with prevalence of ID in rural children (ϱ =0.981, P = 0.019) as well as in children (ϱ = −0.954, P = 0.000) and adults (ϱ = −0.957, P = 0.000) in urban population. The possibility of confounding or the existence of covariates for children in urban settings was noted. Conclusion: Results of this study match findings in other epidemiological studies. However, multistage, large-scale studies are recommended for investigating prevalence rates with different severity levels of ID.
Identification and Upregulation of Biosynthetic Genes Required for Accumulation of Mycosporine-2-Glycine under Salt Stress Conditions in the Halotolerant Cyanobacterium Aphanothece halophytica

ABSTRACT Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are valuable molecules that are the basis for important photoprotective constituents. Here we report molecular analysis of mycosporine-like amino acid biosynthetic genes from the halotolerant cyanobacterium Aphanothece halophytica, which can survive at high salinity and alkaline pH. This extremophile was found to have a unique MAA core (4-deoxygadusol)-synthesizing gene separated from three other genes. In vivo analysis showed accumulation of the mycosporine-2-glycine but not shinorine or mycosporine-glycine. Mycosporine-2-glycine accumulation was stimulated more under the stress condition of high salinity than UV-B radiation. The Aphanothece MAA biosynthetic genes also manifested a strong transcript level response to salt stress. Furthermore, the transformed Escherichia coli and Synechococcus strains expressing four putative Aphanothece MAA genes under the control of a native promoter were found to be capable of synthesizing mycosporine-2-glycine. The accumulation level of mycosporine-2-glycine was again higher under the high-salinity condition. In the transformed E. coli cells, its level was approximately 85.2 ± 0.7 μmol/g (dry weight). Successful production of a large amount of mycosporine in these cells provides a new opportunity in the search for an alternative natural sunscreen compound source.
Influence of Social Support Received in Online and Offline Contexts on Satisfaction With Social Support and Satisfaction With Life: A Longitudinal Study

People around the globe now regularly interact with family and friends through social network sites (SNSs). In this article, we investigated the differences between social interactions in online and offline contexts as well as users' satisfaction with the social support received in these contexts. It was hypothesized that SNSs are better set up for the task of leveraging informational support but that they are inferior to offline contexts in terms of emotional or instrumental support. We further assumed that users might feel similarly satisfied with how support is rendered online and offline but that only social support transacted in offline contexts would contribute to overall life satisfaction. All hypotheses were supported by longitudinal data (N = 327) that were used to investigate social support over the course of 2 years with 4 points of measurement.
Effects of cytokines in burn blister fluids on fibroblast proliferation and their inhibition with the use of neutralizing antibodies

Recent studies have shown that tissue exudates, such as burn blister fluid and donor site wound fluid, have promotive effects on wound healing. In the present study, results obtained with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays showed that at least three cytokines, transforming growth factor‐β1, transforming growth factor‐α, and interleukin‐6, exist at high concentrations in burn blister fluids. It was also found that these exudates were able to greatly enhance the rate of human fibroblast proliferation. However, neutralizing antibodies to transforming growth factor‐β1, transforming growth factor‐α, interleukin‐6, and platelet‐derived growth factor failed to prevent this proliferative effect. Ultrafiltration of the exudates showed these cytokines to be in the high molecular weight fractions (30 to 300 kDa and >300 kDa) and that these fractions retained mitogenic activity toward fibroblasts. Therefore it was postulated that the cytokines were bound to high molecular weight substances such as serum proteins in these exudates and could escape neutralization by antibodies directed against them.
Learning by reviewing

Peer review of writing provides an alternative to the traditional approach of practicing writing with feedback from an instructor. Most of the limited research on peer review has examined the general effects or focused on the effects of receiving feedback from peers. The current study focused on the effects of giving feedback, that is, on whether students learn to write better by reviewing peer writing. Sixty-one undergraduate students were randomly assigned to reviewing, reading, or no-treatment control conditions. Reviewers rated and commented on papers written by peers. Readers read the same papers without commenting. All students then wrote a paper in the same genre but on a different topic. Students in the reviewing condition significantly outperformed those in both other conditions on the quality of the report. Follow-up analysis indicated that comments coded as "problem detection" and "solution suggestion" were positively correlated with writing outcomes for students in the reviewing condition. This research provides support for the use of peer review of writing as a learning activity
Low-Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma with Florid Intravenous Component

A case of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LGESS) with striking involvement of pelvic veins is reported. The pattern of vascular involvement resembled that seen in intravenous leiomyomatosis. The report illustrated that the possibility of venous involvement should always be considered in the management of LGESS. Search for tumor involvement of the venous system at the time of diagnosis of metastasis or recurrence is essential. Surgical management of extensive venous recurrence of LGESS is feasible.
Family Caregivers, Their Needs, and Home-based Palliative Cancer Services

The focus of this four-stage, longitudinal, qualitative, and quantitative study was to explore, from the caregivers perspective, the impact of caring for a person with a diagnosis of terminal cancer, in order to improve the planning and coordination of home-based hospice services in Australia. Caregivers identified five primary-care needs relating to lack of information and ineffective communication with health professionals, inadequate emotional support, the need for assistance with physical care and household tasks, support for caregiver health and social wellbeing, and financial issues. The extent to which current service provision met each of these needs varied. The findings of this study suggest that if palliative care is to be shifted to the home environment, improvement in services concerned with providing support for family caregivers is essential if existing guidelines for palliative care provision are to be met.
Structure, Biology, and Therapeutic Application of Toxin–Antitoxin Systems in Pathogenic Bacteria

Bacterial toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems have received increasing attention for their diverse identities, structures, and functional implications in cell cycle arrest and survival against environmental stresses such as nutrient deficiency, antibiotic treatments, and immune system attacks. In this review, we describe the biological functions and the auto-regulatory mechanisms of six different types of TA systems, among which the type II TA system has been most extensively studied. The functions of type II toxins include mRNA/tRNA cleavage, gyrase/ribosome poison, and protein phosphorylation, which can be neutralized by their cognate antitoxins. We mainly explore the similar but divergent structures of type II TA proteins from 12 important pathogenic bacteria, including various aspects of protein–protein interactions. Accumulating knowledge about the structure–function correlation of TA systems from pathogenic bacteria has facilitated a novel strategy to develop antibiotic drugs that target specific pathogens. These molecules could increase the intrinsic activity of the toxin by artificially interfering with the intermolecular network of the TA systems.
Coherent state quantum key distribution with continuous-wave laser beams

Continuous variable quantum key distribution relies on the transmission of weakly modulated coherent states and the detection of optical field for secure communication. In this talk, we give an overview of recent developments in continuous variable quantum key distribution. In particular, we discuss a scheme that uses continuous-wave laser beams without optical pulsing. Due to its continuous wave nature, our scheme is intrinsically broadband and does not require measurement basis switching. Finally, we present a status report on integration of this system into existing communication infrastructures at the Parliamentary Triangle of Australia in Canberra.
Pilot Evaluation of the Nasal Nitric Oxide Response to Humming as an Index of Osteomeatal Patency

Background Paranasal sinuses are reservoirs for nitric oxide (NO), and humming facilitates nasal diffusion of NO. The nasal NO response to humming has previously been shown to be blunted with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyposis. We hypothesized that the nasal NO response to humming will be proportional to radiographic osteomeatal patency when comparing allergic rhinitis (AR) patients (without chronic sinusitis) with normal controls. Methods Nonsmoking subjects completed questionnaires and skin-prick testing. Subjects underwent sinus CT scanning, followed by exhaled (oral) and nasal NO sampling (with and without humming). Humming-to-quiet (H/Q) nasal NO ratios were calculated. Three-dimensional reconstructions were used to trace the osteomeatal complex (OMC) and measure minimum cross-sectional area. Lund-Mackay scores were also documented. Results A total of 33 subjects (22 women; mean age, 35.5 years) completed the study. Seventeen AR patients (5 IAR and 12 PAR) participated, as did 16 nonallergic controls. Among controls, quiet nasal NO levels—corrected for fractional exhaled NO—rose significantly with OMC area and fell significantly with Lund-Mackay scores (p < 0.05). However, we observed no proportionality between H/Q ratio and radiographic OMC patency. Conclusion Analysis of nasal NO samples taken under quiet conditions from normal controls was consistent with the paranasal sinuses acting as a reservoir of nasal NO and with OMC patency acting as a significant factor in NO diffusion. However, our results did not support a relationship between the nasal NO response to humming and radiographic OMC patency in a sample excluding subjects with severe rhinosinusitis.
What in the World Do Second Graders Know about Geography?: Using Picture Books to Teach Geography

arional standards in geography N have come to the forefront in many districts as administrators scramble to design curricula that meet state social studies standards. As a discipline, geography deserves to be part of the mix and merits attention at the elementary level. According to Gregg and Leinhardt ( 1994), “The formal study of geography uniquely contributes to the school curriculum by training students to recognize and apply spatial relationships as analytical tools” (315). To achieve that end, students need to develop a sense of location and place and to receive early training in using information, skills, and concepts to make int’ormed decisions. The study of geography supports the development of those skills. Picture books have long been known to facilitate instruction in the primary grades. They are an ideal tool for teaching children strategies for reading and providing them with information. Picture books can be a helpful tool for beleaguered teachers, overwhelmed by packed curricula that urge them to meet local, state, and national content standards. When my school district began revis-
Lossy Spherical Cavity Resonators for Stress-Testing Arbitrary 3D Eigenmode Solvers

A lossy metal-wall cavity resonator that extends well beyond perturbation theory limits is studied. An exact analytical solution is employed for the spherical cavity resonator, having walls transformed from being a perfect electrical conductor (PEC) to free space. This model then acts as an ideal benchmark reference standard. A plane-wave approximation is then derived. Independent full-wave numerical modeling of the spherical cavity resonator is undertaken using eigenmode solvers within two well-known commercial, industry-standard, simulation software packages (HFSS TM and COMSOL). It has been found that the plane-wave approximation model accurately characterizes the results generated by these solvers when equivalent finite conductivity boundary (FCB) and layered impedance boundary (LIB) conditions are used. However, the impedance boundary (IB) condition is accurately characterized by the exact model, but the precise value of complex wave impedance at the wall boundary for the specific resonance mode must first be known ap riori. Our stress-testing results have profound implications on the usefulness of these commercial solvers for accurately predicting eigenfrequencies of lossy arbitrary 3D structures. For completeness, an exact series RLC equivalent circuit model is given specifically for a spherical cavity resonator having arbitrary wall losses, resulting in the derivation of an extended perturbation model.
The role of mesalamine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of unclear etiology affecting the large bowel, most commonly the rectum and extending proximally in a continuous fashion. The overall principle in the pathophysiolgy of ulcerative colitis is the dysregulation of the normal immune system against an antigenic trigger leading to a prolonged mucosal inflammatory response. The diagnosing of UC is made by combining the clinical picture, tissue biopsy with the endoscopic appearance of mucosal ulceration, friable, edematous, erythematous granular appearing mucus. The approach to therapy of UC has been dependent on severity of symptoms with frontline therapy being salicylate based sulfasalazine. Newer formulations of salicylates based drugs with fewer side-effects have been developed. These are free of the sulphur component and are composed of 5-ASA, without the sulfapyridine carrier molecule. Mesalamine is one of these 5-ASA based agents that are currently available and indicated for treatment of UC. In mild/moderate active disease mesalamine has response rates between 40%–70% and remission rates of 15%–20%. Considering that the efficacy of 5-ASA is dose dependent, 4.8 g/day and 2.4 g/day have been shown to be the optimal dosages for mild-moderate distal active disease and for maintenance therapy, respectively. Patients with moderately active ulcerative colitis treated with 4.8 g/d of mesalamine are significantly more likely to achieve overall improvement at week 6 compared to patients treated with 2.4 g/d. In the setting of left-sided distal colitis (proctitis), topical (rectal) formulations have been found to be superior to oral aminosalicylates at inducing remission. Mesalamine has been shown to be safe in short term use with a dose-response efficacy without dose-related toxicity.
Reasons and remedies for under-representation of women in medical leadership roles: a qualitative study from Australia

Objective To elicit medical leaders’ views on reasons and remedies for the under-representation of women in medical leadership roles. Design Qualitative study using semistructured interviews with medical practitioners who work in medical leadership roles. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Setting Public hospitals, private healthcare providers, professional colleges and associations and government organisations in Australia. Participants 30 medical practitioners who hold formal medical leadership roles. Results Despite dramatic increases in the entry of women into medicine in Australia, there remains a gross under-representation of women in formal, high-level medical leadership positions. The male-dominated nature of medical leadership in Australia was widely recognised by interviewees. A small number of interviewees viewed gender disparities in leadership roles as a ‘natural’ result of women's childrearing responsibilities. However, most interviewees believed that preventable gender-related barriers were impeding women's ability to achieve and thrive in medical leadership roles. Interviewees identified a range of potential barriers across three broad domains—perceptions of capability, capacity and credibility. As a counter to these, interviewees pointed to a range of benefits of women adopting these roles, and proposed a range of interventions that would support more women entering formal medical leadership roles. Conclusions While women make up more than half of medical graduates in Australia today, significant barriers restrict their entry into formal medical leadership roles. These constraints have internalised, interpersonal and structural elements that can be addressed through a range of strategies for advancing the role of women in medical leadership. These findings have implications for individual medical practitioners and health services, as well as professional colleges and associations.
Thorough validation of siRNA-induced cell death phenotypes defines new anti-apoptotic protein

Loss-of-function by means of RNA interference in cultured human cells enables rapid pathway dissection on a genome-scale. Improved siRNA design and key validation protocols are required to eliminate falsely identified phenotypes resulting from potential off-target consequences. Here, we demonstrate a validation strategy involving several steps for verifying cell death phenotypes revealed during loss-of-function screening. First, from a set of 45 novel human genes we identified gene candidates that, when silenced, induce apoptosis in cultured HeLa cells. For those candidates, we performed more extensive validation with multiple effective siRNAs. In addition, we designed rescue experiments involving candidate genes delivered exogenously and containing silent mutations in the siRNA target regions. Rescue of the observed knockdown phenotype demonstrated an original and more stringent validation of the siRNA's selectivity and the phenotype specificity for the target gene. As a result, our data reveals an anti-apoptotic function for novel human breast adenocarcinoma marker BC-2, adding new depth to BC-2′s description as a putative tumor marker involved in cancer related pathways.